Nigerien military leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani has raised fresh allegations against the Federal Government of Nigeria.
But the Nigerian government has countered the claims, saying they were nothing but tissues of lies.
The recent development has further strained the delicate relationship between Nigeria and its closest neighbour, Niger, and by extension, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Tchiani, in an interview with Radio-Télévision du Niger, the country’s state media, on Wednesday night, accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of conniving with France to destabilise Niger Republic.
But the Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the allegations as “baseless”.
The Nigerian government through the minister vehemently rejected allegations made by Niger military leader, Tchiani.
The claims, which surfaced in a viral video, suggested a collusion between Nigeria and France to destabilise Niger.
Responding to this allegation, the Minister in a statement on Thursday, characterised these assertions said it’s “existing solely in the realm of imagination.”
Idris stated that Nigeria has never engaged in any form of alliance with France to undermine Niger’s stability, particularly following the recent undemocratic leadership change in the country. “It is absurd to suggest that Nigeria would conspire with any foreign power to undermine the peace and security of a neighbouring country,” he stated.
Highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability, Idris pointed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership as Chairman of ECOWAS, stating that Nigeria remains open to re-engaging with Niger despite the political turmoil.
He noted, “Nigeria has consistently supported Niger’s economic development through joint energy and infrastructure projects.”
The Minister also dismissed claims regarding the establishment of a terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State, asserting that Nigeria is actively combating terrorism through operations like “Operation Forest Sanity III.”
He urged the public to disregard the unfounded allegations and called for Niger’s leadership to focus on constructive dialogue rather than “peddling baseless accusations.”
He further reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to fostering peace and stability in the region, urging Niger to collaborate rather than confront.
It would be recalled that last Friday, the Nigerien authorities had alleged that the Lakurawa terrorist group, with the help of foreign security forces, including Nigeria’s, were responsible for the attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline on December 13, 2024 in Gaya, Dosso Region of Niger Republic.
But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had debunked the allegation and assured that Nigeria would continue to explore peaceful means to maintain its cordial relationship with Niger for the benefit of the people of both nations.
Nigeria and other members of the ECOWAS had imposed sanctions on Niger and mulled a military action to restore constitutional order in the country following the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023.
New claims
Tchiani, in his fresh allegations, some of them so grievous to be mentioned, said France promised to give Tinubu a certain amount of money in exchange for him ceding an area in Borno State for French military deployment.
He said: “President Tinubu should come out and tell Nigerians how much he collected from France. If he refuses to do so, there will be a day of reckoning. Allah is watching.
“ECOWAS has been out of control. It has merely become a puppet of the French authorities. France dictates to it as it pleases. This is because the leaders of ECOWAS countries are power-hungry people.
“From the Nigerian president to those of Benin, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire — they all go to France whenever elections are around. They go and bow before Macron to ask for funds to contest again. Do you have the temerity to say no to the person who gave you money?”
Tchiani also alleged that French military personnel were present on an island known as Kurnawa, as well as in places like Tangarwa and Dogon Chuku.
“We repatriated two French officials who had relocated to Nigeria. They were warmly accepted by Nigeria. They provide training to terrorists,” he alleged in the widely circulated videos.
He also alleged that France designated an area as ‘Canada’, recruited many Nigerians and enlisted them with the tacit knowledge of Nigerian authorities.
Tchiani accused France of arming Boko Haram fighters in the Lake Chad region with anti-aircraft weapons in order to combat Chadian forces.
He alleged that when France realised that Chadian forces were using airstrikes against Boko Haram, they armed the sect members with ground-to-air weapons so that they could bring down Chadian military aircrafts.
“The weapons were delivered on October 16. France has a base in Lake Chad. The reports we gathered from high-profile terrorists in our detention facilities revealed a sinister plan.
“And by the way, Nigerian authorities are not unaware of this underhanded move. It is near a forest close to Sokoto where they wanted to establish a terrorist stronghold known as Lakurawa. The French and ISWAP made this deal on March 4, 2024.
He also mentioned names of some high profile government officials, including those not government.
The Nigerien leader said: “We explained the French’s sinister tactics to him (a former official of Nigerian government). He promised to send a team of intelligence officers, who arrived in Niger, and we financed their entire operation. They had interactive sessions with various terrorists detained in our facilities. The terrorists revealed French motives against Nigeria. He, himself, was involved in financing terrorist training in different locations, including in the Central African Republic.”
Tchiani further alleged that another key figure in Nigerian government was also aware of the situation, but they remained silent and refused to act.
“We did all of this out of brotherhood with Nigeria. Alas, we didn’t realise that Nigeria’s decline came from the leadership, until later.”
He said Niger decided to take “decisive action against the French conspiracy, as well as deal with the Lakurawa group, which was reportedly positioned in neighbouring countries to launch attacks on Niger’s oil pipeline facilities.”
