By HeapNews
The Federal Government of Nigeria has categorically rejected accusations by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the military leader of Niger Republic, alleging collusion between Nigeria and France to destabilize his country.
In a statement issued on Monday, the government described the claims as baseless, emphasizing that Nigeria has never engaged in any covert or overt actions to destabilize Niger. The statement reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment, in his capacity as ECOWAS Chairman, to fostering peace and regional stability.
Nigeria’s Armed Forces, alongside the Multinational Joint Task Force, have played a leading role in combating terrorism in the region, the government noted. It dismissed allegations of hosting a so-called “Lakurawa terrorist headquarters” in Sokoto State, stressing that recent military operations, including Operation Forest Sanity III, directly target such threats.
The government also denied claims of sabotaging Niger’s pipelines and agriculture, pointing to longstanding collaborative projects such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway.
“These unfounded allegations aim to deflect attention from Niger’s internal challenges,” the statement read. “Nigeria remains steadfast in its commitment to regional stability and economic cooperation.”
The public was urged to disregard the accusations, with Nigeria reiterating its dedication to maintaining historic diplomatic ties and upholding the sovereignty of both nations.