The Nigerian government has once again firmly rejected claims of conspiring with France to destabilize its neighboring country, Niger. In a statement released on Thursday, Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, described the allegations as “unfounded” and “counterproductive,” emphasizing that Nigeria respects the sovereignty of all nations and is focused on tackling security challenges within its borders.
“These accusations are completely baseless. Nigeria’s priority is to ensure peace and security within its own borders, and we have no intention of undermining the stability of Niger or any other neighboring country,” Idris said. His remarks came just days after the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a similar denial regarding the allegations.
Tensions Escalate Between Nigeria and Niger
Relations between the two West African countries have been on a downward spiral since a military coup ousted Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum earlier this year. Following the coup, Nigeria, as a leading member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), joined other member states in imposing sanctions on Niger. Although these sanctions were later lifted, the tension has continued to simmer, especially after Niger withdrew from ECOWAS and accused Nigeria of supporting militant groups within its borders to weaken the country’s new leadership.
The government in Niger, led by Abdourahamane Tchiani, has specifically accused Nigeria of collaborating with the group Lakurawa, which operates along the border between the two countries. Niger’s authorities claim that Nigeria’s support for Lakurawa led to a recent attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline, which was severely damaged in the Dosso region. The pipeline, which is expected to become the largest in Africa, is a critical infrastructure project, and the attack has sparked heightened concerns about regional security. The Nigerian government has strongly denied any involvement in the attack.
Nigeria’s Regional Role and Security Efforts
Minister Idris responded to these accusations by reaffirming Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to regional development and stability. He pointed to ongoing joint projects with Niger, such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway, as evidence of Nigeria’s support for Niger’s economic growth. He also rejected the notion that Nigeria would undermine its own efforts to foster peaceful cooperation across the region.
“These allegations make no logical sense. Nigeria is actively engaged in fighting militant groups, including through operations like Forest Sanity III, which targets Lakurawa. It is impossible for a government leading efforts to combat a group operating along the border to be accused of supporting them,” Idris remarked.
He further emphasized that Nigeria has never allowed foreign powers to establish military bases on its soil, a stance that he said demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to national sovereignty and regional leadership.
A Call for Accountability and Dialogue
Idris also criticized the accusations as a diversion from Niger’s internal struggles and called on the government to provide solid evidence to support its claims. He warned against attempts to use Nigeria as a scapegoat for ECOWAS’s firm stance against unconstitutional changes of government in the region.
“Nigeria remains firmly dedicated to fostering peace and stability in West Africa and across the broader Sahel region,” Idris concluded. “We urge Niger to focus on constructive dialogue and collaboration, rather than making baseless accusations that do nothing to resolve the pressing issues facing the country.”