Why Invite Foreign Troops?’ – Olawepo-Hashim Criticizes FG Over US Military Strikes In Nigeria

Former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying that the recent United States military airstrike in Nigeria exposes the government’s security shortcomings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released on Sunday, Olawepo-Hashim argued that the coordinated strike underscores international concern over Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation. He added that the action reflects deep-seated failures within the All Progressives Congress-led government, pointing to a weak and ineffective internal security framework.

According to him, global actors could not ignore the rise of an Islamic State presence in Nigeria, describing the country as “too large, too strategic, and too important to be allowed to fail.”

Olawepo-Hashim noted that his team had been warning since 2021—and with increased urgency over the past year—that security trends in the North-West were heading toward a dangerous trajectory, including the potential formation of an IS-aligned enclave if decisive measures were not taken.

“Even more concerning is the promotion of individuals who enable or justify extremism into positions of political influence, creating conditions in which terrorist groups can pursue territorial control,” he said.

He also referenced the recent explosion in Offa, Kwara State, which caused widespread panic and property damage, emphasizing that such incidents highlight the fragility of Nigeria’s internal security and intelligence coordination.

While acknowledging that foreign airstrikes can temporarily disrupt terrorist operations, Olawepo-Hashim stressed that lasting peace depends on comprehensive internal reforms. He warned that repeated external interventions, if not carefully managed, could threaten national sovereignty and accountability, urging that all foreign security cooperation be governed by clear frameworks, transparency, and strict oversight.

“The situation in the North-West is critical. Without urgent internal reforms, improved governance, and decisive political leadership, external military interventions alone will not deliver sustainable results,” he cautioned.