On Thursday, the Federal Government of Nigeria dismissed claims that the country is collaborating with France to destabilize the Niger Republic.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, issued the clarification in a statement, following allegations from Niger Republic’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, that Nigeria was conspiring with France against his country.
“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 destabilize Niger Republic,” the statement read.
Idris highlighted that President Bola Tinubu, in his role as Chairman of ECOWAS, has consistently upheld an open-door policy towards re-engaging with Niger, despite the military coup that disrupted the country’s democratic governance.
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The minister emphasized Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to promoting peace, fostering harmony, and preserving its long-standing diplomatic relations with Niger.
He also underscored the critical role of Nigeria’s armed forces in combating terrorism in the region, particularly through their collaboration with the Multinational Joint Task Force.
Addressing certain claims, the minister dismissed as “absurd” any suggestions that Nigeria would work to destabilize the peace and security of its neighboring country. He also refuted allegations that Nigeria had ceded parts of its territory to foreign powers or allowed terrorist bases to operate in Sokoto State in coordination 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.
“Any attempt to blackmail Nigeria over ECOWAS’s principled stance against the unconstitutional seizure of power in Niger is disingenuous and doomed to fail,” Idris said.
He pointed to recent military operations, including Operation Forest Sanity III, which specifically targeted the Lakurawa threat, as proof of Nigeria’s commitment to regional security.
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The minister also rejected accusations that Nigeria was sabotaging Niger’s pipelines and agricultural sector.
He highlighted Nigeria’s active involvement in supporting Niger’s economic development, citing projects such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway.
Idris called on the public to dismiss Tchiani’s allegations and challenged him to provide credible evidence to substantiate his claims.
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