The Senator representing Bauchi Central has criticised a recent security operation by the United States within Nigeria’s territory, describing it as a violation of the Constitution.
Senator Ahmed Abdul Ningi raised the matter under a point of order and privilege, questioning why the Senate, which has constitutional oversight powers, was not briefed before or after the operation.
He said the motion was intended to inform Nigerians that while the support of U.S. security agencies in the fight against terrorism and banditry is commendable, the National Assembly must be properly informed.
Senator Ningi added that the leadership of the National Assembly should always be briefed on such collaborations to avoid setting a bad precedent.
He argued that the Nigerian Constitution vests the authority to approve such actions solely in the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and that such directives must originate from within the country, not from external actors.
Senator Ningi further said that both the Nigerian Constitution and United Nations conventions uphold the principle of territorial integrity, which no foreign power should violate without due process of law.
The lawmaker warned that allowing U.S. security agencies to operate in this manner could open the door for other superpowers to act similarly in pursuit of their interests, citing the incident as a dangerous precedent.
Responding to the issue, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said that Senator Ningi’s presentation was in order but noted that security matters cannot be discussed openly, assuring that the Senate would be briefed at an appropriate time.
Although the motion was not debated due to security implications, the point of order was sustained.
Cov/Bashir M
