Shehu Sani, social activist and former federal lawmaker has dismissed as baseless the allegation by the Niger Republic Junta leader implicating Nigeria in the formation of the Lakurawa terrorist group.
General Abdourahamane Tchiani of Niger Republic had claimed that France was planning to establish a terrorist operational base in Gaba, a forested area in Sokoto State, Nigeria. ‘
He further alleged that the Nigerian government was complicit in France’s purported destabilization agenda in the region.
Tchiani also accused France of financially supporting Nigerian authorities to build a military base in Borno State, supposedly to combat terrorism but allegedly aimed at destabilizing Niger and neighboring countries.
Responding to these claims, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, issued a statement on Thursday, dismissing Tchiani’s allegations as unfounded and a diversionary tactic to mask his administration’s shortcomings.
“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 destabilise Niger Republic,” the statement read.
The government emphasised that Bola Tinubu, in his capacity as Chairman of ECOWAS, has maintained an open-door policy toward re-engaging Niger despite the military coup that disrupted democratic governance in the country.
“Nigeria remains committed to fostering peace, harmony, and maintaining its historic diplomatic ties with Niger,” the statement added.
Shehu Sani, in a post on his X account on Friday, dismissed Niger’s allegations as an imaginary conspiracy theory devoid of credible evidence.
The former lawmaker emphasized that the solution lies in Niger and Nigeria collaborating to tackle and eliminate their shared threats.
He said, “The specific claim made by the President of Niger Republic about the complicity of Nigeria in the formation of the Lakurawa terrorist group is baseless.
“For a country whose people have suffered over a decade of kidnappings and bloodshed in the hands of terrorists and still fighting, it’s inconceivable that such a terrorist group will ever be harboured here.
“Niger President claims are wild conjectures; and hollow, superstitious and imaginary conspiracy theory lacking any credible evidence.
“The way forward is for Niger and Nigeria to work together in confronting and extinguishing the common threat.”
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