The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has expressed deep concern over the reported United States military strike on alleged Islamic State in the Levant (ISIL) targets in Sokoto State, warning that the development raises serious questions about Nigeria’s sovereignty, transparency, and security architecture.

In a press release issued on Saturday and signed by its Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, MPAC said while it unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and supports efforts to eliminate violent extremism, the circumstances surrounding the reported strike were troubling and required urgent clarification by the Nigerian government.

MPAC noted that Nigerians first learned of the operation through an announcement by the U.S. government rather than from Nigerian authorities, describing this sequence as diplomatically embarrassing and symbolically damaging.

According to the group, such a development undermines public confidence and raises fundamental concerns about accountability, authority, and national dignity.

The organisation stressed that security cooperation with foreign partners should not amount to operational dependency or a surrender of sovereign responsibility.

While acknowledging official claims that Nigerian intelligence contributed to the operation, MPAC questioned why a foreign power executed a military strike within Nigerian territory if the country possesses the capacity to secure its own borders, citing Nigeria’s past ability to project military force beyond its territory.

Drawing on historical examples of U.S. military interventions in countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, MPAC warned of the long-term humanitarian and political consequences of foreign-led military actions, even when described as “precision strikes.”

The group also recalled past statements by U.S. leaders perceived as hostile or divisive, cautioning against narratives that could inflame religious tensions in Nigeria.

MPAC further emphasised that the majority of victims of terrorism in Nigeria have been Muslims, insisting that the country must not become a testing ground for foreign military adventures driven by external political or ideological considerations.

The group reiterated that security is the primary and non-transferable responsibility of the Nigerian state, warning that reliance on foreign military assets to enforce peace within the country sends a dangerous signal both to citizens and the international community.

MPAC called on the Federal Government to urgently clarify the legal, operational, and diplomatic framework under which the reported strike occurred, reassure Nigerians that the nation’s sovereignty remains intact, and recommit to building a security system that is Nigerian-led, Nigerian-controlled, and Nigerian-accountable.

According to the organisation, Nigeria requires principled leadership, transparent governance, and a firm commitment to protecting all citizens, rather than what it described as “performative security.”