The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the Federal Government over what it described as poor and ineffective communication following reports of a United States military strike on terrorist targets in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the opposition party said Nigerians first learned of the reported operation through social media posts by U.S. President Donald Trump and other American officials, long before any official response from Nigeria.
The PDP said the delayed and “vague” confirmation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised concerns about how the government handles communication on sensitive national security issues.
“While international cooperation in the fight against terrorism is appreciated, it is troubling that foreign powers announce security operations on Nigerian soil before our own government,” the statement said.
The party argued that the approach does not serve the interests of Nigerians, particularly in light of previous claims that foreign forces had conducted operations in the country without clear public knowledge or approval.
According to the PDP, the Federal Government should have taken the lead in informing citizens about the strike and its implications, rather than reacting to information already circulating widely.
“Anything short of this creates the impression that the government was either unprepared or taken unawares, just like ordinary citizens,” it added.
The party also urged the government to ensure that any defence cooperation with the United States prioritises joint operations that build local capacity and enhance knowledge transfer to Nigerian security agencies.
It cautioned against reliance on externally led precision strikes, stressing that lasting solutions to insecurity depend on strengthening Nigeria’s own security capabilities.
