The Federal Government of Nigeria has firmly dismissed allegations by Niger Republic’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, accusing Nigeria of conspiring with France to destabilize Niger.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, described the claims as baseless fabrications, emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability and peaceful dialogue.
No Collaboration with France
The statement clarified that Nigeria has never collaborated with France or any other foreign power to sponsor terrorism or destabilize Niger. Instead, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as ECOWAS Chairman, has championed diplomatic efforts to restore peace and stability in the region following Niger’s unconstitutional leadership change.
Commitment to Security and Development
Highlighting Nigeria’s role in combating terrorism through the Armed Forces and the Multinational Joint Task Force, the government dismissed claims of harboring terrorists or supporting subversive operations. “These allegations are unfounded and contradict Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to regional security,” the statement read.
The Minister further underscored Nigeria’s contributions to Niger’s economic growth through initiatives like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway Project. He labeled allegations of sabotaging Niger’s pipelines and agriculture as illogical, given Nigeria’s significant investments in such projects.
Rebuttal of Terrorist Headquarters Claim
The government also rejected allegations of hosting a terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State, allegedly orchestrated in collaboration with France. It highlighted ongoing military operations, such as Forest Sanity III and Operation Chase Lakurawa Out, as evidence of Nigeria’s resolve to eliminate terrorism.
Call for Evidence and Constructive Engagement
The Nigerian government challenged Niger to provide credible evidence for its accusations, warning against using unfounded claims to distract from domestic issues or undermine ECOWAS’s stance on unconstitutional power seizures.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s sovereignty, the statement stressed that no foreign military bases would be allowed on Nigerian soil. The Minister described the allegations as a dangerous distraction and urged Niger’s leadership to prioritize constructive dialogue over baseless accusations.
“Nigeria remains unwavering in its pursuit of regional peace and security and calls on Niger to collaborate with its neighbors to tackle shared challenges,” the statement concluded.
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