The Federal Government (FG) has denied allegations made by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the military leader of Niger Republic, accusing Nigeria of conspiring with France to destabilize his country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the claims as baseless and existing only “in the realm of imagination.”
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fostering peace, harmony, and historic diplomatic ties with Niger Republic despite its current political instability.
“Nigeria has never engaged in any overt or covert alliance with France—or any other country—to sponsor terrorist attacks or destabilize Niger Republic,” the statement read.
The Minister highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s efforts as Chairman of ECOWAS, emphasising his leadership in keeping diplomatic channels open with Niger to encourage re-engagement and cooperation within the sub-region.
Idris also refuted claims of Nigeria colluding to arm or support terror groups, noting that Nigeria’s Armed Forces, alongside the Multinational Joint Task Force, have made significant strides in curbing terrorism in the region.
He further dismissed allegations of ceding Nigerian territory for subversive activities, stating that the government remains steadfast in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Unlike some nations, Nigeria has never permitted foreign powers to establish military bases on its soil. This demonstrates our commitment to national independence and regional leadership,” Idris added.
Addressing accusations of sabotaging Niger’s pipelines and agriculture, Idris highlighted Nigeria’s role in supporting Niger’s economic growth through projects like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway.
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“It is illogical to suggest that Nigeria would undermine initiatives it has actively promoted,” he stated.
He also dismissed claims of establishing a so-called Lakurawa terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State, pointing to Nigeria’s active military efforts, including Operation Forest Sanity III, which targets such threats.
He urged the public to disregard the allegations and called on General Tchiani to provide credible evidence to substantiate his claims.
“Any attempt to blackmail Nigeria over ECOWAS’s principled stance against unconstitutional power seizures in Niger is disingenuous and doomed to fail,” the Minister said.
The Minister further encouraged Niger’s leadership to focus on dialogue and collaboration rather than promoting unfounded accusations.
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He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability and its role in addressing transnational challenges like terrorism.
