The Federal Government on Thursday debunked Niger Republic’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, claims of alleged collusion between Nigeria and France to destabilise his country.
It said Nigeria has never engaged in any overt or covert alliance with France—or any other country—to sponsor terrorist attacks or destabilise Niger in the wake of the undemocratic change in the leadership in July 2023.
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“It is absurd to suggest that Nigeria would conspire with any foreign power to undermine the peace and security of a neighbouring country,” the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, argued in a statement he signed Thursday.
Tchiani’s, in a now-viral interview with State television, accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of a conspiracy with France to destabilise the former French territory through a proxy, the Lakurawa terrorists.
Tchaini, who spoke in the Hausa language, said, “There is a proposal that is being made, but the leaders of Nigeria are aware that there is a forest named Gaba near Sokoto. They want to make this forest a training ground for Lakurawa terrorists. The letter came to me on the fourth day of the third month (March) of this year (2024).
“It is between France and ISWAP [Islamic State’s West Africa Province]. For this agreement, it will be opened near Lakurawa in the Gaba forest; there will be a training camp for a group of terrorists who will be spread across Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi.
“But he (our informant) told us, by the way, Nigerian leaders are aware. We believed he was lying because he did not want us to give this information to Nigeria. But since we are neighbours with Nigeria, it is impossible to hear what will endanger them and hide it.
“So, we called their minister of information and said, ‘Well, this is what the French intend to do.’ He said he would send people to come and get a sufficient report. So, he sent people.”
The Nigerien leader said the military extracted the intelligence from some high-ranking terrorists it captured recently.
“They discussed with them and told them what France wants to create. They returned with this report,” he added.
Since the July 2023 coup that ousted Niger’s pro-Western leader Mohamed Bazoum, the country’s new military junta has taken a firm anti-French stance, severing long-standing ties with its former colonial ruler.
This coup aligned the uranium-rich country with growing regional sentiments in Mali and Burkina Faso against Western influence, particularly as Russia and China’s shadow looms larger.
However, the junta’s defiance triggered economic sanctions from ECOWAS, chaired by President Tinubu, further straining Niger’s fragile economy and amplifying fears of regional isolation.
Tchiani’s accusations come just three weeks after Tinubu’s fifth visit to France since taking office—most recently in November 2024.
However, the Nigerian government vehemently denied these claims, saying they were only Tchiani’s imagination.
“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 destabilise the Niger Republic in the wake of the undemocratic change in the leadership of that country,” the Information Minister said.
Idris also said claims of collusion with the Lakurawa terrorists are “baseless” and lack credible evidence.
“The claims about the alleged establishment of a so-called Lakurawa terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State, purportedly orchestrated by Nigeria in collaboration with France, are baseless.
“Nigeria has been a regional leader in combating terrorism, dedicating significant resources and lives to ensure stability in the Lake Chad Basin and beyond. Recently, the Nigerian military launched Operation Forest Sanity III, specifically addressing the Lakurawa threat, code-named Operation Chase Lakurawa Out.
“How can a government actively fighting the Lakurawa menace now be accused of harbouring the same group within its borders? These accusations lack credible evidence and seem to be part of a broader attempt to deflect attention from Niger’s internal challenges,” the FG maintained.
Idris argued that President Bola Tinubu, as Chairman of ECOWAS, has demonstrated exemplary leadership, keeping the doors of the sub-regional body open to re-engaging Niger Republic despite the political situation in the country.
He said Nigeria remains committed to fostering peace, harmony, and historic diplomatic ties with Niger.
“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.
“Neither the Nigerian government nor any of its officials has ever been involved in arming or supporting any terror group to attack the Niger Republic,” the statement read.
Tchiani also alleged that the Tinubu government ceded some territory to this proxy force. A claim the FG also denied.
“No part of Nigeria has been ceded to any foreign power for subversive operations in the Niger Republic.
“We reiterate our full support to senior Nigerian government officials for their untiring commitment to fostering peace and security between the government and people of Nigeria and Niger and for their efforts towards stronger cooperation in the ECOWAS region,” the FG said.
It maintained that Nigeria has a long-standing tradition of safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Unlike some nations, Nigeria has never permitted foreign powers to establish military bases on its soil.
“This demonstrates our commitment to national independence and regional leadership,” said Idris.
He also argued that the accusation that Nigeria seeks to sabotage Niger’s pipelines and agriculture is both “unfounded and counterproductive.”
According to the FG, Nigeria has consistently supported Niger’s economic development through joint energy and infrastructure projects, such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway Project.
Therefore, “It is illogical to suggest that Nigeria would undermine initiatives it has actively promoted,” Idris declared.
The government urged Nigerians to disregard these false allegations, saying, “Those making such claims, particularly the Military Leader in the Niger Republic, must provide credible evidence to substantiate them.”
“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,” the statement added.
In closing, Nigeria’s government maintained that “President Tchiani’s allegations are not only unfounded but also a dangerous attempt to divert attention from his administration’s shortcomings.”
It said Nigeria remains committed to fostering regional stability and will continue to lead efforts to address terrorism and other transnational challenges.
“We urge Niger to focus on constructive dialogue and collaboration rather than peddling baseless accusations,” Idris concluded.