The Federal Government yesterday debunked the new allegations by President Niger Republic, Abdourahamane Tchiani that Nigerian government failed to act on intelligence reports on the activities of Lakurawa terrorists.
Tchiani made the fresh allegation in an interview on Wednesday shared by Niger Television, TRT TV.
But the Minister of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Thursday said the claims were false and misleading.
The statement which was signed by Mr Alkasim Abdulkadir, the media aide to Ministe4 of Foreign Affairs said such camp does not exist.
Abdulkadir said that there is no ulterior undertone in Nigeria’s relationship with France.
He stressed that the relationship between Nigeria and France has always been cordial, and it is guided by mutual respect.
He said: “President Tchiani’s allegation during his Christmas Day Broadcast is false and misleading. A “Canada” camp where French soldiers are camped in Borno State does not exist; it is a figment of his imagination. Most importantly, there are no French soldiers in Nigeria or any plans by the government of Nigeria to establish a military post manned by the French.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in Paris, where Nigeria and France signed two agreements to boost infrastructure development and food security. At the same time, Nigerian lenders Zenith Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA) expanded their operations into France.
“The agreements also included a 300 million Euro investment plan to support critical infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, agriculture, renewable energy and human capital development across Nigeria. Thus the funds are not in exchange for the establishment of a military post.
“As a country in transition Nigeria has signed development agreements with France and China, the USA, Japan, Russia, the Netherlands, etc. Bilateral economic relations and mutual support are standards for countries to engage in; even Niger itself has countries it is involved with. Again, we reiterate that there is no ulterior undertone in Nigeria’s relationship with France. It is important to state that the relationship between Nigeria and France has always been cordial, and it is guided by mutual respect, dignity, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.”
Meanwhile, a group, Coalition for the Advancement of Peace and Democracy in West Africa has condemned the junta leader, describing the claims as fakenews, meant to cause disaffection between the people and the government.
The Secretary General of the coalition, Rahila Umar
said findings have showned that the junta’s claims were false.
Umar therefore condemned the tactics of the military junta to drag Nigeria into their internal issue and thereby causes crisis among the Nigerian populace.
She said unfortunately for the junta, the allegation is coming at a time the government is achieving so much in its efforts to contain terrorism and banditry in the country.
She said: “The Coalition for the Advancement of Peace and Democracy in West Africa condemns in very strong terms, the hostility directed at the Nigerian government by the Military Government in Niger Republic. The recent allegations by the Nigerien authorities that the Lakurawa terroristgroup, that with the help of foreign security forces, including Nigeriansecurity forces, were responsible for the attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline on the 13th of December 2024, in Gaya, Dosso Regionof Niger Republic, is not only grossly misleading but pathetic, Nigeria has been at the forefront of fighting terrorism for than a decade, sometimes even in conjunction with Nigerien soldiers.
“The public in Niger and Nigeria should note that the attack on the oil pipeline, inform that the perpetrators were neither backed nor assisted by Nigerian authorities. They should be reminded that the Government and good people of Nigeria are strongly committed to the fight against terrorism and will not condone or support the activities of such groups.
“That the Nigerian Military has a strong history of not accommodating boots on the ground and the allegations are unfounded and should be discarded in their entirety. It is important to state that the relationship between Nigeria and France has always been cordial and Nigeria was never colonized by France and have no colonial allegiance to France.
“The Military government in Niger is advised to desist from using fake news to cause disaffection within the Nigeria populace with their propaganda. “
