U.S. Struck Sokoto Without Nigerian Govt’s Consent, Sowore Claims

Friday December 26, 2025
www.thenewsdesk.ng

Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, claims the Nigerian government lacked prior knowledge of the airstrikes carried out by the United States military in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day.

Sowore’s reaction followed President Trump’s Christmas Day announcement on his Truth Social platform that the U.S. military had carried out airstrikes against ISIS-linked terrorists operating in northwest Nigeria.

Moments after Trump’s post, the Nigerian government confirmed that airstrikes had indeed taken place.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and shared by the Presidency, the Federal Government described the operation as part of ongoing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, acknowledging intelligence collaboration with U.S. authorities.

However, Sowore, in a post on his Facebook page, dismissed the government’s explanation and questioned both the legitimacy of the operation and Nigeria’s capacity to defend its sovereignty.

“I have read reports that the United States government launched attacks on Nigerian soil on Christmas Day, as announced by @realDonaldTrump and the U.S. Secretary of War, @PeteHegseth, purportedly targeting terrorist groups within Nigeria,” Sowore said.

While the Federal Government portrayed the operation as a joint effort with “international partners,” Sowore argued that the strikes were carried out without consent of Nigeria’s government.

“Although the Nigerian government now claims it was aware and describes the operation as a joint effort with vague ‘international partners,’ it is evident that the strikes were carried out without the genuine authority or informed consent of the weaklings masquerading as government under Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he stated.

Sowore maintained that the strikes on a village in Sokoto State raises concerns about civilian safety and Nigeria’s control over its own territory.