By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
CLAIMS BY Niger Republic’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, suggesting a conspiracy between Nigeria and France to destabilise his country, have been categorically denied by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
These allegations, made in a viral video, have been dismissed as baseless and entirely unfounded.
The Federal Government of Nigeria firmly stated that it has never participated in any covert or overt activities with France—or any other country—to sponsor terrorism or disrupt Niger Republic’s peace, especially following the recent political crisis in the neighbouring country.
As the Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President Bola Tinubu has maintained an unwavering commitment to peace, leaving all diplomatic channels open for re-engagement with Niger despite its current political upheaval.
The Nigerian government highlighted its consistent role in regional stability, noting the significant efforts of its Armed Forces in collaboration with the Multinational Joint Task Force to combat terrorism across the Lake Chad Basin.
The suggestion that Nigeria would conspire with a foreign power to jeopardise Niger’s security contradicts its longstanding history of fostering peace in the region.
Officials firmly rejected accusations of harbouring or supporting terror groups, particularly allegations of establishing a so-called Lakurawa terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State.
This claim, the government clarified, lacks credible evidence and directly conflicts with Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to eradicate the Lakurawa threat under Operation Forest Sanity III.
The operation, codenamed “Chase Lakurawa Out,” specifically targets this terrorist menace, making it absurd to suggest any involvement in its promotion.
Nigeria also refuted accusations of sabotaging Niger’s pipelines and agricultural initiatives. On the contrary, the Federal Government pointed to its active support of joint infrastructure and energy projects, including the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway Project.
These projects demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to Niger’s economic growth, making claims of sabotage illogical and counterproductive.
The government further emphasised that Nigeria has consistently safeguarded its sovereignty and never allowed foreign military bases on its soil.
This tradition highlights its independence and leadership role in West Africa.
President Tinubu’s administration has maintained a policy of addressing Niger’s political crisis through dialogue and diplomacy.
Any claims to the contrary, the government stated, amount to blackmail aimed at discrediting Nigeria’s principled stance against unconstitutional power seizures in the ECOWAS region.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reiterated that the public should disregard these baseless allegations.
He called on Niger’s leadership to provide evidence to substantiate its claims, urging constructive dialogue over unfounded accusations.
