PDP Faults FG Over Handling of US Terror Strike Disclosure

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized the Federal Government for what it described as a lapse in security communication following the disclosure of United States military strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria.

In a statement released on Friday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said the government’s delayed response allowed foreign authorities to break the news of a sensitive security operation on Nigerian soil before local officials addressed the nation.

The opposition party noted that Nigerians were left relying on foreign sources for information about critical security developments, a situation it said reflected poorly on national leadership and crisis communication.

Reports indicate that details of the US military strikes on terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State first emerged late Thursday through verified social media posts by US President Donald Trump and other American officials. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs only issued a statement several hours later, acknowledging the operation.

Reacting to the development, the PDP argued that the Federal Government should have taken the lead in informing the public, rather than offering what it described as a belated confirmation of events already widely reported.

According to the party, Nigerians learned of the strikes through American officials’ social media accounts before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released what it termed a vague statement confirming the government’s awareness and cooperation.

While acknowledging the importance of international collaboration in combating terrorism, the PDP expressed concern over a communication framework that allows foreign governments to announce security operations in Nigeria ahead of Nigerian authorities.

The party warned that such an approach undermines public confidence, particularly in light of past reports suggesting that foreign forces had previously carried out operations in Nigeria without clear public knowledge or authorisation.

The PDP further urged the Federal Government to review its defence engagement with the United States to ensure that cooperation prioritises joint operations and capacity building for Nigerian security forces.

It stressed that defence agreements should focus on knowledge transfer and operational collaboration that would enable Nigeria to tackle insecurity sustainably, rather than relying predominantly on foreign-led precision strikes.

The party maintained that timely and transparent communication by the Federal Government is essential to keeping citizens informed and reassured during critical security situations.