The Nigerian government has faced criticism from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its handling of communication regarding a recent terror strike carried out by the United States on Nigerian soil. The PDP has described the situation as a “disturbing failure of security communication and national leadership,” citing the fact that the US disclosed details of the operation before Nigerian authorities addressed the nation.
According to reports, news of the US military strike against terrorists in Sokoto State, Nigeria, was first made public through verified social media posts by US President Donald Trump and other American officials. This information was released several hours before Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement acknowledging the operation. The PDP has argued that the Federal Government should have led in announcing the development to properly inform Nigerians, rather than belatedly confirming reports already in the public domain.
The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, stated that the delayed reaction by the Federal Government forced Nigerians to depend on foreign sources for updates on critical security operations taking place within their own territory. The party has expressed concern about the communication structure, where foreign powers break the news of security operations in Nigeria before the government does. This approach has been deemed unhelpful to both the Federal Government and Nigerians.
The PDP has called on the Federal Government to ensure that its defence pact with the United States prioritizes joint operations that promote capacity building, rather than relying on wholly foreign-led precision strikes. The party believes that such an approach will ultimately result in knowledge sharing and experiential learning, enabling Nigeria to sustainably combat insecurity. By doing so, the government can mitigate the risks associated with relying solely on external assistance and promote a more self-sufficient approach to national security.
The criticism comes amid ongoing efforts by the Nigerian government to address the country’s security challenges, including terrorism and banditry. The incident has highlighted the need for effective communication and coordination between the government and its international partners in addressing these challenges. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Federal Government will respond to the PDP’s concerns and work towards improving its communication strategy and national security framework.