The Nigerian government on Thursday strongly denied accusations made by Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, suggesting collusion with France to destabilise his country.
In a statement signed by Nigerian Information Minister Mohammed Idris, Abuja “firmly” rejects the allegations made by the Nigerien leader in an interview with Tele Sahel on Wednesday, December 25, calling them
“baseless” and “a fantasy.”
The Nigerien head of state accused Nigeria in particular of hosting a terrorist base in Lakurawa, in Sokoto State, in collaboration with France. The Nigerian government, on the contrary, emphasises its efforts in the fight against terrorism, citing the recent “Forest Sanity III” operation specifically aimed at the Lakurawa threat.
“Nigeria has never entered into an open or covert alliance with France – or any other country – to sponsor terrorist attacks or destabilise the Republic of Niger,” the statement insisted, recalling the country’s historical commitment to its sovereignty and its refusal to host foreign military bases.
The minister reaffirmed his country’s support for enhanced regional cooperation, citing joint projects such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi rail link. He called on Niger to prioritise “constructive dialogue” over the dissemination of “baseless accusations.”
Supporting Abuja against what it called “unfounded allegations,” the Ecowas Commission, in a separate statement, highlighted the “recent successes” of the Nigerian-led Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) as evidence of the country’s commitment to regional peace.
The regional organization “refutes any suggestion that such a generous and magnanimous country would become a state sponsor of terrorism” and calls on all states in the region to “refrain from making accusations
that are not supported by evidence.”
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who also chairs Ecowas, maintains a firm stance against the unconstitutional takeover in Niger while keeping “the doors open” to dialogue, the statement said.
AC/Sf/fss/as/APA