The Senate Has Suspended Open Discussion On The United States Airstrikes Carried Out In Parts Of Sokoto State On December 25.

Politics Nigeria Reports That The Decision Was Taken During Wednesday’s Plenary Session.

Lawmakers Agreed That The Issue Would Be Handled In A Closed Meeting Due To Its Sensitive Nature.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio Ruled That Security Matters Of This Scale Should Not Be Debated Publicly.

He Said The Senate Had Not Suffered Any Breach Of Privilege By Delaying Open Debate.

He Explained That Such Issues Require Caution And Confidentiality.

According To Akpabio, Senators Had Already Been Informed That The Operation Involved Cooperation With Nigerian Security Agencies.

He Urged Members To Avoid Public Arguments On National Security Matters.

“Security Is Not Something We Discuss In The Open Market,” Akpabio Said.

The Senate President Promised That Lawmakers Would Receive A Full Briefing Behind Closed Doors.

He Said The Briefing Would Explain How The Strikes Were Carried Out And What Role Nigeria Played In Them.

He Also Assured Senators That Their Concerns Would Be Addressed In That Session.

Following His Ruling, The Senate Stepped Down Further Debate On The Matter Until The Closed-Door Meeting Is Held.

The Issue Was Raised By Senator Abdul Ningi, Who Represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District.

He Brought The Matter Under A Point Of Order And Claimed That The Airstrikes Raised Constitutional And Legal Questions.

Ningi Said The National Assembly Has Authority Over Matters Of Peace And Security Under Nigerian Law.

He Cited The Legislative Houses (Powers And Privileges) Act And The 1999 Constitution As The Basis For His Argument.

He Insisted That No Foreign Military Should Operate On Nigerian Soil Without Proper Legislative Involvement.

He Warned That Reports Of US Airstrikes In Nigeria Suggested A Violation Of The Country’s Sovereignty.

He Also Described The Action As Contrary To International Law And The United Nations Charter.

According To Him, Only The President, As Commander-In-Chief Of The Armed Forces, Can Approve Military Action Within Nigeria.

He Added That Even The President Must Act In Line With Constitutional Procedures And National Institutions.

“The Title Of Commander-In-Chief Is Not Ceremonial,” Ningi Said. “It Confers Real Authority And Responsibility. Nigeria Is A Sovereign Nation, And Its Territorial Integrity Must Be Protected.”

The Senator Accused The Executive Arm Of Government Of Failing To Properly Brief The Legislature.

He Said The National Assembly Must Be Fully Informed Of Any Security Operation Involving Foreign Forces.

He Warned That Ignoring The Legislature Could Weaken Nigeria’s Constitutional System.

The Controversy Followed An Announcement By US President Donald Trump On December 25.

Trump Said American Forces Had Carried Out Attacks Against Islamic State Fighters In North-Western Nigeria.

He Made The Disclosure On His Truth Social Platform.

He Said: “At My Direction As Commander In Chief, The United States Launched A Powerful And Deadly Strike Against ISIS Terrorist Scum In Northwest Nigeria, Who Have Been Targeting And Viciously Killing, Primarily, Innocent Christians, At Levels Not Seen For Many Years, And Even Centuries. Tonight, There Was Hell To Pay.”

After The Statement, The Federal Government Confirmed That Strikes Were Conducted Against Terrorist Locations.

Officials Said Nigeria Supported The Operation And That It Targeted Extremist Hideouts.

However, The Operation Sparked Public Debate.

There Were Claims That Some Missiles May Have Landed In Wrong Locations In Parts Of Sokoto And Kwara States.

There Were Also Reports That No Casualties Were Recorded In Some Of The Affected Areas.

However, The Senate Is Now Waiting For A Full Briefing From Security Agencies. The Closed Session Is Expected To Explain The Scope Of The Operation, Nigeria’s Level Of Involvement, And The Legal Basis For It.

Lawmakers Are Also Expected To Examine The Implications For National Sovereignty And Legislative Oversight.