In a wave of growing tensions, the Nigerian government has firmly rejected accusations made by Niger’s military president, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, alleging that Nigeria is collaborating with France to destabilize the Niger Republic. These allegations, which have raised eyebrows in diplomatic and security circles, were made public by Tchiani during his Christmas Day address.
General Tchiani claimed that France, in collaboration with Nigerian authorities, is attempting to destabilize Niger by establishing a terrorist operational base in the region. He specifically accused Nigerian officials, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, of conspiring with France to fund and arm terrorist groups. Tchiani alleged that intelligence gathered from captured terrorists revealed France’s intentions to use the Lakurawa terrorist group to create a base in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states, with the aim of destabilizing Niger and other neighboring countries.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, quickly refuted the claims, calling them “baseless” and an attempt to distract from Niger’s internal challenges. Speaking in a statement, Idris emphasized Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to regional stability, noting that the country has been at the forefront of efforts to combat terrorism through initiatives such as the Multinational Joint Task Force. He further rejected the notion of a French military presence in Nigeria, specifically in Borno State, as part of a covert operation to weaken Niger.
“Nigeria has never entered into any covert or overt alliance with France or any other nation to sponsor terrorism or destabilize Niger,” Idris said, urging Nigerien authorities to provide credible evidence for their allegations.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu also responded forcefully to the allegations in an interview with BBC Hausa. Ribadu labeled the accusations as unfounded and described Nigeria’s relationship with France as one focused on cooperation rather than destabilization. “Even England, which colonized Nigeria, never stationed troops here. When France sought to bring its soldiers, we refused. Why would we agree now?” Ribadu questioned, underscoring Nigeria’s firm stance on sovereignty and independence.
Ribadu further called for unity in the fight against terrorism, highlighting that the shared enemy in the region is terrorism, not intra-regional conflict. He emphasized that Nigeria’s priorities lie in regional cooperation, not engaging in foreign meddling or destabilizing neighboring nations. “We live peacefully with our neighbors, including Chad, Benin, and Cameroon,” Ribadu added, urging Niger’s leadership to address its grievances directly with France without implicating Nigeria.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has also weighed in on the issue, dismissing the accusations as baseless. In a public statement, ECOWAS reaffirmed Nigeria’s role as a stabilizing force within the region, stressing that Nigeria has long championed peace and stability both within West Africa and across the continent.
“The Commission of ECOWAS expresses deep concern over the allegations against Nigeria and other member states,” read the statement. “Nigeria has been a beacon of peace and stability. We reject any suggestion that Nigeria would engage in sponsoring terrorism.”
The ECOWAS statement also encouraged dialogue and collaboration, rather than indulging in unsubstantiated accusations. This sentiment was echoed by Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry, which also stood firm in its rejection of the allegations, calling for constructive dialogue with Niger.
Despite these denials, tensions between Nigeria and Niger remain high. General Tchiani has also accused Nigeria of harboring members of the ousted Bazoum administration and colluding with foreign powers to undermine his government. These accusations, coupled with the strained relationship between the two nations, have sparked widespread debate about the future of the region’s geopolitical dynamics.
However, Nigeria has reiterated that it remains committed to peace and development in Niger. As a leading power in West Africa, Nigeria is poised to play a crucial role in addressing regional security challenges, focusing on cooperation with its neighbors rather than division.
The growing discord between Niger and Nigeria raises questions about the influence of external powers in the region. With France, the United States, and Russia vying for influence in West Africa, Nigeria is positioned at a delicate crossroads. The country’s leadership, through its diplomatic outreach and regional partnerships, has emphasized that national sovereignty, regional stability, and collaborative efforts to combat terrorism are its foremost priorities.
As the situation continues to evolve, both Niger and Nigeria face the challenge of balancing their foreign relations with their internal security needs, while maintaining stability in a region beset by the scourge of terrorism and political unrest.
Amid these claims, prominent Nigerian journalist and commentator David Hundeyin took to X Handle (formerly Twitter) to express his view on the ongoing situation. In his post, Hundeyin criticized the public’s distraction with lesser issues in the face of more pressing regional concerns:
“The details of a French-sponsored terrorism operation in West Africa using Nigeria as its operational base are currently being exposed to the world and guess what happens? One shirtless idiot puts on his ring light to start yapping on the internet about NGO and N160m – and Nigerians eat it up AGAIN! Our people can never spot and strategically ignore an obvious distraction when it is deployed.”
Hundeyin’s comment highlights the ongoing distraction of less critical issues in Nigerian media, even as serious regional and geopolitical challenges unfold in West Africa. His post underscores the need for Nigerians to focus on the larger picture of regional stability, international collaboration, and the role of foreign influences in the ongoing crisis.
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As the Nigerian government continues to deny the allegations and regional organizations like ECOWAS rally behind Nigeria, the diplomatic impasse between Niger and Nigeria highlights the complexities of West African politics. The international community will be watching closely as these nations navigate their fragile relationship, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes peace and security for all.
