By Ammar M. Rajab In a stern rebuttal, the Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed allegations made by Niger Republic’s military leader,...
By Ammar M. Rajab
In a stern rebuttal, the Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed allegations made by Niger Republic’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, accusing Nigeria of colluding with France to destabilize his country. Describing the claims as baseless, Nigeria called for credible evidence to substantiate the accusations.
In a press release issued by Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, the government denounced the assertions as fabrications. “These claims exist solely in the realm of imagination, as Nigeria has never engaged in any overt or covert alliance with France—or any other country—to sponsor terrorist attacks or destabilize the Niger Republic in the wake of the undemocratic change in the leadership of that country,” the statement read.
The statement highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership as Chairman of ECOWAS, emphasizing his commitment to diplomatic re-engagement with Niger despite its political turmoil. Nigeria, it reiterated, remains dedicated to fostering peace and maintaining strong historical ties with its neighbor.
“Nigeria’s Armed Forces, in collaboration with partners in the Multinational Joint Task Force, are succeeding in curbing terrorism within the region. It is, therefore, absurd to suggest that Nigeria would conspire with any foreign power to undermine the peace and security of a neighbouring country,” the release stated.
Rejecting allegations of aiding terrorist groups or ceding Nigerian territory for subversive activities, the government reaffirmed its stance against terrorism. The accusation of establishing a so-called Lakurawa terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State, purportedly in collaboration with France, was categorically denied.
“How can a government actively fighting the Lakurawa menace now be accused of harbouring the same group within its borders?” the statement questioned, pointing to recent military operations such as Operation Forest Sanity III and Operation Chase Lakurawa Out as evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to regional security.
The Nigerian government also dismissed claims of sabotaging Niger’s pipelines and agriculture, highlighting its longstanding support for Niger’s economic development. Joint projects such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway Project were cited as proof of Nigeria’s cooperative stance.
“It is illogical to suggest that Nigeria would undermine initiatives it has actively promoted,” the statement emphasized.
The government urged the public to disregard what it described as false and counterproductive allegations, calling on Niger’s leadership to engage in constructive dialogue. “Any attempt to blackmail Nigeria over ECOWAS’s principled stance against the unconstitutional seizure of power in the Niger Republic is both disingenuous and doomed to fail,” it warned.
The press release concluded with a call for collaboration, not conflict, in addressing shared regional challenges. “President Tchiani’s allegations are not only unfounded but also a dangerous attempt to divert attention from his administration’s shortcomings. Nigeria remains committed to fostering regional stability and will continue to lead efforts to address terrorism and other transnational challenges,” the statement concluded.
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