Nigeria strongly denies Niger leader’s allegations that French troops have established bases in Borno State and are colluding with the armed forces to destabilise the republic.

Residents of Borno State have called on the government to conduct a “transparent” investigation into allegations that French troops have established bases in the state and are colluding with the Nigerian Armed Forces to destabilise the Niger Republic.

They say they have not seen any foreign troops – but they want the allegations to be investigated thoroughly and transparently and the outcome disclosed “just to clear our doubt”.

They were responding to comments made by Niger’s leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, in an interview with Radio-Télévision du Niger, the country’s state media, on Wednesday night, December 25.

Tchiani accused Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of colluding with France to destabilise the Niger Republic.

Tchiani, the commander of Niger’s presidential guard unit, appointed himself the leader of Niger shortly after toppling democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023.

In the interview, he claimed that France was using Nigeria to inflict harm on his country.

“Recently, the Nigerian government argued that there is not a single French military base in Borno, a state ravaged by a decade-long insurgency in the country’s northeastern region.

“However, I can tell you that there are French military bases in Borno. If the allegations are false, then an investigation should be carried out in Baga town of Borno State,” Tchiani said.

“I spent four months in Baga town as a military officer in 2008 and I have seen a lot. I am well aware of the presence of French military personnel in Baga. There are foreign military bases in places like Kurnawa, Kangarwa, Dogon Chukui and Chibiri. The location was named ‘Canada’, and it’s a no-go area for locals, including national forces.”

Tchiani claimed that France was helping to arm terror groups in the Lake Chad Basin region to foment unrest in his country.

“Nigerian authorities are not unaware of this underhanded move,” Tchiani said. “It is near a forest close to Sokoto where they wanted to establish a terrorist stronghold.”

“The French and ISWAP made this deal on March 4, 2024”, he said, referring to the Islamic State West Africa Province insurgent group.

Residents of Borno State called for a thorough and transparent investigation.

Lawan Abba Aji said: “In my view, the government of Nigeria needs to counter Tchiani’s claims with facts, not words. It needs to investigate the matter transparently and reveal the outcome, just to clear our doubts, as all the allegations can’t entirely be false.”

Babagana Bukar said the matter was complicated and required “a credible investigation to uncover the truth”.

“I have carefully listened to both parties, and based on what I heard, it’s difficult to believe entirely in one party. Therefore, only a credible investigation can help us understand the truth of the matter.”

Abba Modu Saje, a 54-year-old resident of Baga town, said: “I have never seen foreign troops in Baga or the [French] military. But, honestly speaking, this allegation has been circulating for a long time among the locals, long before Tchiani made the accusation.

“With this development, I think it’s a great opportunity for the Nigerian government to prove to us that there are no French forces in Baga town.”

Yakubu Habu, a commercial driver in Baga town, told RNI that previously, there were Chadian troops in Baga, but he was not sure of any foreign troops from the West in town.

“But among the locals this is something that has been going around for many years. But we have no evidence to prove it,” Habu said.

Mohammed Tahir Monguno, the chief whip of the 10th Senate who represents Borno North, said: “If truly the French military base will be established in Nigeria, precisely Borno, the president must seek approval from the Congress.

“As a senator representing Borno North, I am not aware of any proposal or request from the presidency to allow France to establish a military base in any part of the country.

“Considering the gravity of the allegation made by Tchiani, there is a need for proper and transparent investigation. The Congress has been on end-of-year vacation, but immediately it resumes, I will put forward a motion on the matter for proper debate – and we must invite the Minister of Defence to further explain.”

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the federal government of Nigeria rejected Tchiani’s allegations.

“For years, Nigeria has supported peace and security of several countries not only in the West African subregion but also on the African continent,” the regional bloc said in a statement released late on Thursday, December 26.

“ECOWAS therefore refutes any suggestion that such a generous and magnanimous country would become a state-sponsor of terrorism.”

Mohammed Idriss, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, said all the claims made by Tchiani against Nigeria were baseless.

“The accusation that Nigeria seeks to destabilise Niger is unfounded and counterproductive. 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. It is illogical to suggest that Nigeria would undermine initiatives it has actively promoted,” he said.

“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.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as chairman of ECOWAS, has demonstrated exemplary leadership, keeping the doors of the sub-regional body open to re-engaging the Niger Republic despite the political situation in the country. 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. No part of Nigeria has been ceded to any foreign power for subversive operations in Niger.

“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.

“The public is urged to disregard these false allegations. Those making such claims, particularly the military leader in Niger, must provide credible evidence to substantiate them.

“Tchiani’s allegations are not only unfounded but also a dangerous attempt to divert attention from his administration’s shortcomings. 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,” Idriss said.

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, said: “The Niger president’s allegation came as a shock. The Nigerian government will never be a party to what will destroy Niger or any neighboring country, as Nigeria is in peaceful collaboration with its neighbouring countries.

“These claims are false, as it has never been recorded in Nigerian history that the country connived with other foreign countries to inflict harm on its neighboring countries.”

He encouraged journalists to investigate the locations mentioned by Tchiani and verify the facts themselves.

“There is no doubt that the President of Niger knows Nigeria very well, but I want you, as journalists, to go to the places he mentioned and see for yourself; or ask the residents of the places if there are any foreigners, let alone soldiers from other countries,” Ribadu said.

He emphasised that Nigeria had a peaceful relationship with its neighbours, including Chad, Benin, and Cameroon – and had no reason to harm the Niger Republic.

“The leaders of the military regime in Niger should understand that we, Nigeria, are not a problem for them. These terrorists, whom we are fighting, are our problem. We should confront them together,” he said.

AYSHA MUSTAPHA KOLOMI