ADC Slams Tinubu Administration Over US AFRICOM Airstrikes in Sokoto

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has described the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a case of “historic incompetence” following the airstrikes carried out by the United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, in parts of Sokoto State on Friday.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the assertion in a statement issued on Friday, saying while the ADC supports lawful efforts to protect Nigerians, the foreign military operation reflected a failure of governance.

Abdullahi cautioned that permitting external forces to conduct direct military operations on Nigerian soil is unsustainable and could undermine the country’s long-term strategic and security interests.

He also questioned Nigeria’s role in the operation, warning that the country should not be reduced to an informant in a security exercise it ought to be leading.

The ADC spokesman called on the Federal Government to provide clear details on the operation, including who had operational control, the number of casualties recorded, and the identities of terrorists reportedly neutralised during the airstrikes.

“This is a show of historic incompetence on the part of Tinubu’s administration. The African Democratic Congress recognises the serious security challenges confronting Nigeria and affirms that the protection of Nigerian lives and the defeat of terrorism must remain a central national priority.

“We therefore support all lawful and effective measures aimed at saving lives and restoring security,” the statement read.

Abdullahi reiterated the party’s opposition to the physical operation of foreign military forces on Nigerian territory, stressing that desperation must not come at the expense of Nigeria’s sovereignty.

InfoStride News reports that the United States launched a series of airstrikes targeting ISIS elements in Sokoto State in the early hours of Friday.

Recall that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, had earlier said that the United States carried Nigeria along before carrying out the airstrikes.