Farotimi Condemns Alleged U.S. Airstrikes in Nigeria, Raises Sovereignty Concerns

 

Human rights lawyer and social commentator, Dele Farotimi, has criticised reports of alleged United States military airstrikes on ISIS-linked targets in Nigeria, describing them as a violation of the country’s sovereignty.

Farotimi argued that the reported operation underscores deeper governance and leadership failures, particularly the inability of Nigerian authorities to independently safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity without foreign intervention.

Farotimi Reacts to Alleged U.S. Involvement

In a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Farotimi reacted to claims of U.S. involvement in counter-terrorism operations in north-western Nigeria. He maintained that Nigeria’s sovereignty has been repeatedly undermined by political leaders who lack the resolve to defend the nation’s security interests without external military assistance.

According to him, the presence or actions of foreign forces within Nigeria’s borders highlight long-standing weaknesses in governance and a failure to firmly assert national independence in security matters.

Claims of Past Foreign Influence

Drawing parallels with past regional developments, Farotimi referenced an alleged incident involving France and neighbouring Benin Republic. He claimed that France, under President Emmanuel Macron, influenced Nigeria to take military action against coup plotters in Benin Republic.

Farotimi further alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acted without legislative approval in that instance, thereby exposing Nigeria’s sovereignty to external influence.

He argued that the reported U.S. airstrikes under former U.S. President Donald Trump followed a similar pattern of foreign disregard for Nigeria’s independence. In strong language, Farotimi accused Nigeria’s political elite of enabling such actions through silence and complicity.

According to him, foreign powers are emboldened to act decisively within Nigeria because the country’s leadership has consistently failed to demand accountability or firmly assert national sovereignty in matters of security.

Farotimi concluded that until Nigeria’s leaders demonstrate the political will to independently manage the nation’s security challenges, external interference will remain a recurring issue.

Source: Gistreel