Rufai Oseni Questions Federal Government’s Stance After Nigeria–U.S. Airstrike Reports

Media personality Rufai Oseni has drawn attention to what he described as a contradiction in the federal government’s security posture following reports of cooperation between Nigeria and the United States on recent airstrikes in Sokoto State.

Oseni raised the issue on X (formerly Twitter), reacting to reports that Nigerian authorities worked alongside U.S. counterparts in air operations targeting armed groups in parts of the state.

Reference to Earlier Presidential Aide’s Comment

In his post, Oseni shared a screenshot of an earlier statement by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, questioning the apparent shift in official messaging.

“…but Nigerian government just partnered with America on airstrikes in Sokoto,” Oseni wrote.

The screenshot referenced a comment made by Onanuga in November, in which he criticised opposition figure Peter Obi over remarks linked to possible U.S. involvement in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.

In the earlier post, Onanuga had stated:
“We shall never forget and forgive Peter Obi for supporting a foreign invasion of Nigeria,” reacting to comments attributed to Obi suggesting he would welcome assistance from former U.S. president Donald Trump to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges.

Renewed Debate Over Consistency

Oseni’s remarks come amid growing online discussions following reports of Nigeria–U.S. security collaboration in Sokoto State. The development has reignited debate over consistency in official communication and policy positions regarding foreign involvement in Nigeria’s internal security operations.

As of the time of filing this report, the federal government has not issued a detailed public response addressing the comparison raised or clarifying its current position on international security partnerships.

Ongoing Public Discourse

Security cooperation with foreign partners has long been a sensitive topic in Nigeria, often generating differing opinions across political, civil, and media circles. Observers note that the latest exchange reflects broader concerns about transparency, messaging, and the framing of international assistance in addressing the country’s security challenges.