Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Muslim Public Affairs Centre, MPAC, has raised concerns over the United States military strikes on alleged ISIS enclaves in Sokoto State, calling on the Nigerian government to clarify the circumstances surrounding the operation and reaffirm the country’s sovereignty.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, MPAC said it unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and supports efforts to eliminate violent extremism in Nigeria.
However, the organisation said it was disturbed that news of the alleged strike was first announced by authorities in Washington rather than by the Nigerian government.
MPAC said the manner in which the information emerged raises questions about transparency, authority and national dignity.
“Military operations conducted on Nigerian territory should be communicated primarily by Nigeria’s own authorities, not by foreign governments addressing their domestic audiences”, the statement read
The organisation cautioned that while security cooperation with international partners is important, it should not evolve into operational dependence. MPAC stressed that intelligence sharing and strategic alliances must not undermine Nigeria’s control over its security decisions.
It also questioned official explanations indicating that Nigerian intelligence contributed to the operation while the United States carried out the strike because of its superior capabilities.
MPAC noted that Nigeria has previously demonstrated the ability to project military force within the region and argued that this capacity should be sufficient to address security challenges within its own borders.
Drawing on past US military interventions in other countries, the group warned of the potential risks of foreign-led strikes, including civilian casualties and prolonged instability. MPAC also expressed concern over past rhetoric by US leaders which, it said, could fuel religious division.
The organisation emphasised that many victims of terrorism in Nigeria are Muslims and warned against actions that could deepen sectarian tensions in the country.
MPAC called on the Federal Government to urgently explain the legal, operational and diplomatic framework under which the reported strike occurred, reassure Nigerians that the nation’s sovereignty remains intact, and recommit to building a security architecture that is Nigerian-led, Nigerian-controlled and Nigerian-accountable.
“Security is the primary responsibility of any government and cannot be subcontracted,” the statement said, urging authorities to prioritise transparent governance and Nigerian-led solutions to the country’s security challenges.
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