By Abiola Olawale
The Federal Government of Nigeria has explicitly denied any involvement in the attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline that occurred on December 13, 2024, in Gaya, Dosso Region of the Niger Republic.
This comes in response to allegations by Nigerien authorities suggesting Nigerian complicity, including claims that Nigerian security forces allegedly collaborated with the Lakurawa terrorist group in this incident.
The Nigerian government emphasized its commitment to combating terrorism and stated that it does not condone or support such groups.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the acting spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Saturday.
Ebienfa, in the statement, conveyed the condolences of the Federal government for the attack but maintained that Nigerian authorities had no role in it.
In the statement, the Federal Government also refuted claims of French military presence in northern Nigeria aimed at destabilizing Niger, describing these accusations as baseless and unfounded.
The statement reads in part: “The Federal Government of Nigeria refutes in very strong terms, allegations by the Nigerien authorities that the Lakurawa terrorist group, with the help of foreign security forces, including Nigerian security forces, were responsible for the attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline on the 13th of December 2024, in Gaya, Dosso Region of Niger Republic.
“The Government of Nigeria condoles with the Government of Niger over the unfortunate attack on the oil pipeline but informs that the perpetrators were neither backed nor assisted by Nigerian authorities.
“The Government of Nigeria is strongly committed to the fight against terrorism and will not condone or support the activities of such groups.”
It would be recalled that the foreign minister of junta-ruled Niger had summoned the charge d’affaires at the Nigerian embassy, accusing the neighbouring nation of “serving as a rear base” to “destabilise” the country.
