By Kolawole Ojebisi
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has described as “baseless” allegations that France is sponsoring terrorist groups in Nigeria to destabilise Niger Republic.
Idris said this in a statement issued on Thursday in response to claims made by a military leader of Niger Republic, Abdourahamane Tchiani, in an interview on Wednesday.
Tchiani, who spoke in Hausa, had alleged that France is negotiating with terrorists in Nigeria to destabilise his country.
He said France made a “substantial payment to President Bola Tinubu” to establish a military base in Nigeria.
“They (France) meet and negotiated with Boko Haram/Bakurawa (a possible variation of the pronunciation of Lakurawa, a new terrorist group in Nigeria),” Tchiani said.
“It was on October 25, 2023 they told them they want to have a base within Lake Chad. If they agree, France will provide everything and whatever they want.
“Also on 10 January 2024, France gave them some equipment and if they agreed they would help them, they also went back again.
“We got a report that they changed their guns to Boko Haram Bakurawa’s faction and they left. They also returned in October with more than 100 million (probably USD) to just accept their request.”
But in a swift reaction on Monday, Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris dismissed the allegations as “baseless”.
“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 destabilize the Niger Republic in the wake of the undemocratic change in the leadership of that country,” the statement reads.
Idris said despite Nigeria’s estranged relationship with Niger Republic owing to the military coup, Tinubu, as the ECOWAS chairman, has kept doors open for re-establishing ties with the francophone nation.
“Nigeria’s Armed Forces, in collaboration with partners in the Multinational Joint Task Force, are succeeding in curbing terrorism within the region,” the statement added.
“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 Niger Republic.
“Furthermore, no part of Nigeria has been ceded to any foreign power for subversive operations in Niger Republic.”
Speaking on the allegations of colluding with Lakurawa, the information minister listed efforts by Nigerian troops to subdue the group.
“Recently, the Nigerian military launched Operation Forest Sanity III, specifically addressing the Lakurawa threat, Code Named Operation Chase Lakurawa Out,” he said.
“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.”
Idris asked Niger’s coup leader to provide “substantial” evidence for the allegations, and warned that attempts to destabilse Nigeria would fail.
The seeming paranoia displayed by Tchiani may not be unconnected with President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to France.
Recall that on November 27, Tinubu travelled to France for a three-day state visit.
From a live band performance to signed MoUs, the president’s visit stirred controversial debates about France’s intent especially after the presidency said the trip was at the behest of French President Emmanuel Macron.
Shortly after his return, reports surfaced alleging that a French military base would soon be sited in the north-east after Femi Oluyede, chief of army staff, reportedly received French soldiers.
The defence headquarters has since issued a statement to refute allegations of a French military base in or near Nigeria.
The debate comes amid Nigeria’s strained diplomatic relations with Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
The countries have shunned France, former colonial power, and turned to Russia instead for assistance in curbing terrorism.
Idris said Nigeria is committed to enforcing its sovereignty, adding that the country remains a “regional leader” in combating terrorism and would continue to display “exemplary” leadership.
“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 minister added.
