A former Kaduna Central lawmaker, Shehu Sani, said on Saturday that military action against terrorists executed with the consent or participation of the Nigerian government does not violate the country’s sovereignty.

“Any military action taken with the consent or participation of our government cannot be categorised as a violation of our sovereignty,” Mr Sani stated. “We have lost hundreds of our gallant soldiers, thousands of our citizens and pumped billions of dollars for nearly two decades and counting.”

Several northern politicians, especially Hakeem Baba-Ahmed of the Northern Elders Forum, on Friday, described the U.S. military intervention as a gross violation of Nigeria’s sovereignty and rights to defend itself, saying the development humiliated the Nigerian military.

“Now our country’s right to defend itself has been handed over by our leadership to the U.S. Our military assets sworn to protect and defend us have been further diminished by the action of the US. They will be right if they feel humiliated,” Mr Baba-Ahmed stated.

However, Mr Sani disagreed with his northern counterpart, justifying the ballistic missiles as necessary, noting that armed terrorists had overtaken the country’s sovereignty by turning several parts of Nigeria into an abyss of bloodshed.

“Our sovereignty has since been violated by terrorists and murderous gangs who have countlessly slaughtered our people, raped our women, burnt down our villages, kidnapped our students and extorted billions in ransom.

“Terrorists have turned our North-West region into a bloody theatre of endless funerals and perpetual bereavement. We have prayed and pampered enough. Their illusive, theocratic lunacy pursued through bloodshed and criminality must be confronted and defeated if we want to live in peace,” he stated.

Noting that military action to incinerate and annihilate terrorists is the only path to lasting peace, the former lawmaker urged the Nigerian government to welcome any form of collaborations aimed at decimating terrorism in the country.

Mr Sani stated, “The military action to incinerate and annihilate them is the only path to getting our country back. When you have a fire in your home or snakes in your room, you don’t have the luxury of selecting or screening those who will help you to extinguish it.

“Not just the US, if China, Russia or any African country wants to partner with our country to fumigate and deworm our country of these pests and evil forces, the Federal Government should welcome them. Those who are our friends should demonstrate their friendship in times of our urgent needs.”

The politician, however, stressed the need for effective delivery by the Nigerian security agencies, insisting that ultimate security of Nigeria lies with the army and the effectiveness of other security agencies in the service of the country and not with the U.S.