Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian government has vehemently denied allegations of conspiring with France to destabilize Niger.
These claims, made by Niger’s military junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, were dismissed as “existing solely in the realm of imagination” by Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris.
In a statement released on Thursday, Minister Idris refuted Tchiani’s claims that Nigeria was planning to establish a “terrorist operational center” in the northwestern state of Sokoto at the behest of France. He also denied allegations of French financial support for a Nigerian military base in Borno State under the guise of counter-terrorism operations. 
The Nigerian government emphasized its commitment to peace and stability in the region, highlighting its efforts to combat terrorism within its own borders. Minister Idris asserted that Nigeria would never engage in activities that undermine the peace and security of a neighboring country.
The strained relations between Nigeria and Niger stem from the recent military coup in Niger, which led to the severing of ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), currently chaired by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
This incident underscores the complexities of regional politics in the Sahel region, where political instability and the rise of extremist groups continue to pose significant challenges.
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