Shehu Sani, the social activist and former federal lawmaker, has dismissed as baseless the claim by the Niger Republic junta leader accusing Nigeria of involvement in the formation of the Lakurawa terrorist group.
General Abdourahamane Tchiani of Niger Republic had accused France of planning to establish a terrorist operational centre in Gaba, a forested area in Sokoto State, Nigeria.
Tchiani further alleged that the Nigerian government is aware of these intentions and has been complicit in France’s destabilisation efforts in the region.
According to Tchiani, France is also purportedly providing financial backing to Nigerian authorities to set up a military base in Borno State, under the guise of combating terrorism, with the ulterior motive of destabilising Niger and other neighbouring countries.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government described Tchiani’s accusations as unfounded and a diversionary tactic aimed at covering his administration’s failures.
“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 President 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.
However, Shehu Sani in a post on his X account on Friday, said Niger’s claim is imaginary conspiracy theory lacking any credible evidence.
The former lawmaker asserted that the way forward is for Niger and Nigeria to work together in confronting and extinguishing the common threat.
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.”