By Abiola Olawale
The Federal Government of Nigeria has denied viral reports claiming it is in discussion with the United States (US) and France on the likelihood of signing a defense pact with the two countries to relocate their military bases from the Sahel to Nigeria’s border.
The Federal Government described such reports as false, urging Nigerians to disregard them.
It would be recalled that last week, reports had emerged, stating that the American and French governments have been lobbying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the possibility of signing a defense pact with Nigeria.
The reports had claimed that France and the United States were seeking to establish defense pacts with countries in the Gulf of Guinea that are strategically located to serve their interests in the central zone of the Sahel, which would enable them to redeploy soldiers who were expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
However, a statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, clarified that the government is not in any talks with any country over the establishment of foreign military bases.
The Minister also urged Nigerians to be calm, saying the administration of Tinubu is committed to making foreign collaboration that would help the country.
The statement reads in part: “The Federal Government is aware of false alarms being raised in some quarters alleging discussions between the Federal Government of Nigeria and some foreign countries on the siting of foreign military bases in the country.
“We urge the general public to totally disregard this falsehood.
“The Federal Government is not in any such discussion with any foreign country. We have neither received nor are we considering any proposals from any country on the establishment of any foreign military bases in Nigeria.
“The Nigerian government already enjoys foreign cooperation in tackling ongoing security challenges, and the President remains committed to deepening these partnerships, with the goal of achieving the national security objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
