The Federal Government has refuted allegations by Niger Republic’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, claiming that Nigeria colluded with France to destabilise his country.
In a statement issued yesterday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Federal Government described Tchiani’s accusations as “unfounded and a diversionary tactic aimed at covering his administration’s failures”.
“These claims exist solely in the realm of imagination. Nigeria has never engaged in any alliance, overt or covert, with France -or any other country -to destabilise Niger Republic”, the statement read.
The Government emphasised that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his capacity as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has maintained an open-door policy toward re-engaging Niger despite the military coup that disrupted democratic governance in the country. “Nigeria remains committed to fostering peace, harmony, and maintaining its historic diplomatic ties with Niger”, the statement added.
The Government further highlighted the active role of Nigeria’s Armed Forces in curbing terrorism within the region through collaborations with the Multi-national Joint Task Force, (MJTF). It dismissed as “absurd” suggestions that Nigeria would conspire to undermine the peace and security of its neighbour.
The statement specifically denied allegations that Nigeria had ceded parts of its territory to foreign powers or established terrorist bases in Sokoto State, in collaboration with France. “The claims about the establishment of a so-called Lakurawa terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State are baseless. Nigeria has been a regional leader in combating terrorism, dedicating significant resources and lives to ensure stability in the Lake Chad Basin and beyond”, it stated.
It cited recent military operations, including ‘Operation Forest Sanity III’, which specifically targeted the Lakurawa threat, as evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to regional security.
The Federal Government also debunked accusations that Nigeria was sabotaging Niger’s pipelines and agriculture. It pointed out Nigeria’s active role in supporting Niger’s economic development through initiatives such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway Project. “It is illogical to suggest that Nigeria would undermine projects it has actively promoted”, the statement noted.
It urged the public to disregard Tchiani’s allegations, challenging him to provide credible evidence to support his claims. “Any attempt to blackmail Nigeria over ECOWAS’s principled stance against the unconstitutional seizure of power in Niger is disingenuous and doomed to fail”, the Minister said.
