FG refutes claims of sabotage, terror links in Niger Republic
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Federal Government has dismissed allegations made by Niger Republic’s military leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani, accusing Nigeria of conspiring with France to destabilise the country.
In a statement released on Thursday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the claims as baseless and a deflection from the military administration’s own shortcomings.
“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.
The government further highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s consistent efforts as ECOWAS Chairman to maintain dialogue and pursue a peaceful resolution following the military coup that overthrew Niger’s democratic government.
“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 Multinational Joint Task Force. It dismissed as “absurd” suggestions that Nigeria would conspire to undermine the peace and security of its neighbor.
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.
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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 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.
The Federal Government 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,” Idris said.
