Nigeria Rejects Claims of Alliance with France to Destabilize Niger

The Nigerian government has dismissed accusations made by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the military leader of Niger Republic, alleging a covert alliance between Nigeria and France to destabilize his country.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, described Tchiani’s claims as baseless and a diversion from Niger’s internal challenges. Idris emphasized that Nigeria has never engaged in any collusion to undermine Niger and remains committed to fostering peace and regional stability.

Nigeria’s Commitment to Regional Stability

The minister reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to promoting stability in West Africa, particularly under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who serves as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). “President Tinubu has consistently kept ECOWAS open to constructive dialogue with Niger despite the political situation there,” Idris noted.

He further highlighted Nigeria’s long-standing economic collaboration with Niger through projects such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway Project, stating, “It is illogical to suggest that Nigeria would sabotage initiatives it actively supports.”

Refuting Terrorism Allegations

Idris also addressed claims that Nigeria harbored Lakurawa terrorists in Sokoto State in collaboration with France. He dismissed the allegations as unfounded, pointing out Nigeria’s active military operations against the Lakurawa group, including Operation Forest Sanity III and its sub-operation, Chase Lakurawa Out.

“Nigeria has been a regional leader in combating terrorism, dedicating significant resources and lives to ensure stability in the Lake Chad Basin and beyond,” Idris stated. He criticized the lack of credible evidence for the allegations, describing them as part of a broader effort to distract from Niger’s governance challenges.

Nigeria’s Sovereignty and Independence

The statement reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing that the country has never permitted foreign powers to establish military bases on its soil. “This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to national independence and regional leadership,” Idris added.

He further emphasized Nigeria’s collaboration with the Multinational Joint Task Force in curbing terrorism and dismissed as absurd the notion that Nigeria would conspire with foreign powers to destabilize a neighboring country.

Addressing Blackmail Attempts

Idris also condemned any attempts to blackmail Nigeria over ECOWAS’s stance against the unconstitutional seizure of power in Niger, labeling such efforts as both disingenuous and doomed to fail. He urged Niger’s leadership to focus on constructive dialogue and collaboration rather than peddling unfounded allegations.

“Nigeria remains committed to fostering regional stability and addressing transnational challenges. We urge the public to disregard these baseless accusations and demand credible evidence from those making such claims,” Idris concluded.

The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for stronger cooperation within the ECOWAS region, urging Niger to prioritize unity and peace over divisive rhetoric. He called for a collective effort to address the region’s challenges and build lasting stability between the two nations.