Tinubu has humiliated Nigerian military, handed country’s sovereignty to U.S. — Hakeem Baba-Ahmed

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has criticised the recent U.S. airstrikes in Sokoto, describing them as a humiliation of the Nigerian military and a serious breach of the country’s sovereignty.

Speaking in an interview with Peoples Gazette on Friday, the former spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum said the bombing of terrorist targets by the United States on Nigerian soil undermines Nigeria’s right to defend itself and diminishes the role of its armed forces.

According to him, the action reflects a failure of Nigeria’s leadership to protect national sovereignty. He said the country’s responsibility for its own security had effectively been transferred to a foreign power, adding that Nigerian military assets sworn to protect the nation had been further weakened by the development. He noted that the armed forces would be justified in feeling humiliated by the operation.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday via his social media platforms that American forces had carried out a series of airstrikes against terrorist targets in Sokoto State. The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs later issued a statement confirming that the operation had taken place.

Mr Baba-Ahmed described the airstrikes as a gross violation of Nigeria’s sovereignty and accused the United States of pursuing a hidden agenda that could deepen religious divisions in the country. He argued that the key issue was not the location of the strikes but the fact that Nigeria’s dignity and rights had been violated by an external power claiming to act in defence of a particular religious community.

He further alleged that the United States had consistently attempted to widen religious fault lines in Nigeria, warning that such actions amounted to threats rather than genuine assistance. According to him, Nigeria’s security challenges are problems only Nigerians can resolve.

While acknowledging the growing threat of terrorism, Mr Baba-Ahmed said foreign military intervention would not defeat the problem and could expose Nigeria to a new form of domination. He lamented what he described as the Nigerian government’s inability to assert control over the situation, warning that continued reliance on foreign powers would leave the country vulnerable.

He added that only Nigerians have the capacity to defeat violent groups within the country and called for stronger national resolve. Without this, he warned, Nigeria risks becoming a victim not only of insecurity but also of powerful countries seeking to exploit a weakened state.

Meanwhile, Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi also condemned the airstrikes, describing them as an attack on Islam. In a statement on Friday, he said the bombing appeared symbolic of a neo-Crusade against Muslims, questioning why Sokoto, a predominantly Muslim state, was targeted while areas facing more severe terrorist threats were left untouched. He added that the timing of the attack on Christmas Eve and the justification of protecting Christians raised serious concerns.