Human rights lawyer and social critic, Dele Farotimi, has criticised reported United States US military airstrikes on ISIS-linked targets in Nigeria, calling them a breach of national sovereignty.
He said the alleged action reflects deeper leadership failures and the inability of Nigerian authorities to independently protect the country’s territorial integrity.
Farotimi reacts to reported US involvement
Farotimi made the remarks in a post on his X handle while reacting to reports of US involvement in counter-terrorism operations in north-west Nigeria.
He argued that Nigeria’s sovereignty has been repeatedly weakened by political leaders who lack the resolve to defend the nation without foreign intervention.
The lawyer said foreign military actions within Nigeria’s borders highlight long-standing governance problems and weak assertion of independence in security matters.
Claims of past foreign influence
Drawing from regional events, Farotimi recalled an incident involving France and neighbouring Benin Republic.
“Macron sent a now-disgraced Nigeria to bomb coupists in sovereign Benin,” Farotimi wrote.
He alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acted without legislative approval and placed Nigeria’s sovereignty under foreign influence.
Farotimi further claimed that the reported US airstrikes under President Donald Trump followed a similar pattern of external disregard.
“(Trump) peeing over Nigeria’s sovereignty,” he said, accusing Nigeria’s political elite of enabling such actions through silence and complicity.
He added that foreign powers act boldly because Nigeria’s leadership has failed to demand accountability or firmly assert national independence in security affairs.
