Nigeria has firmly denied accusations made by Niger’s military leader, Brigadier General Abdourahmane Tchiani, alleging collusion with France to undermine Niger’s security.
In a Christmas Day interview, Gen Tchiani accused France of collaborating with militant groups in the Lake Chad region to destabilize Niger, claiming Nigeria was aware of these alleged activities.
“Nigerian authorities are not unaware of this underhanded move,” Gen Tchiani was quoted as saying by AFP.
In response, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, dismissed the claims as “baseless” and “false,” emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining regional stability.
“Nigeria would never sabotage Niger or allow any disaster to befall it,” Ribadu said.
Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, described the allegations as a “diversionary tactic aimed at covering his administration’s failures,” stating, “These claims exist solely in the realm of imagination. Nigeria has never engaged in any alliance, overt or covert, with France — or any other country — to destabilize Niger Republic.”
Idris also rejected accusations of sabotaging Niger’s pipeline and agriculture.
The accusations have further strained diplomatic relations between the two countries, which have been tense since the 2023 coup that ousted Niger’s former president, Mohamed Bazoum.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, imposed sanctions on Niger and threatened military intervention if constitutional order was not restored.
ECOWAS also defended Nigeria, releasing a statement refuting the claims and highlighting Nigeria’s longstanding role in promoting peace and security across the region.
“For years, Nigeria has supported peace and security in several countries not only in the West African subregion but also on the African continent,” the ECOWAS statement read.
Tensions remain high as Niger continues to strengthen ties with junta-led neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso while calling for the withdrawal of French and Western military forces.
