The Senate has announced plans to hold an executive briefing on the United States air strikes carried out on December 25 against terrorist targets in Sokoto State, following concerns raised over the alleged exclusion of the National Assembly from deliberations preceding the operation.

The issue was raised by Senator Abdul Ningi during plenary under Order 42 (Matters of Privilege), where he queried what he described as the sidelining of the legislature in a matter touching on Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national security.

Senator Ningi, an opposition lawmaker representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, argued that the air strikes constituted a serious national security issue that required legislative oversight and prior consultation with the National Assembly.

He maintained that the National Assembly, which is constitutionally empowered to play a role in matters relating to national security and foreign military involvement, was not consulted before the strikes were executed.

“It is not right. If we begin to dilly-dally, it becomes a problem. The leadership of the National Assembly should be briefed by the security agencies on what actually happened. This is a violation of our territorial integrity,” he said.

The senator warned that allowing the executive arm of government to unilaterally approve foreign military operations within Nigeria could establish a dangerous precedent, noting that other global powers might feel emboldened to act similarly without legislative involvement.

Responding, the Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, disclosed that the Senate leadership had already made arrangements to brief lawmakers during an executive session but was unable to proceed as planned.

According to Mr. Akpabio, the closed-door briefing was postponed following the suspension of legislative activities in honour of the late Senator Godiya Akwashiki, who died on December 31, 2025.

“This is a security matter, and we really should not discuss it in the open. We wanted to do it behind closed doors yesterday, but because of Senator Akwashiki, we could not. Your point of order is noted, and arrangements will be made to brief senators in a closed session,” he said.

The U.S. air strikes, which were carried out on December 25, 2025, were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities and targeted camps linked to the Islamic State group.

The United States Africa Command subsequently confirmed that several fighters of the Islamic State group were killed during the operation.