The National Security Adviser, ONSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has emphasized that Nigeria will not be used as a tool for destabilizing Niger.
He stated this in reaction to the recent allegations by the Nigerien President General Abdourahamane Tchiani against Nigerian government to which the National Security Adviser said Nigeria's relationship with France is strictly economic and has no military implications.
The NSA described General Tchiani’s statement as surprising, disturbing, baseless and entirely unfounded as Nigeria has no intention of sabotaging or destabilizing Niger. He stressed that Nigeria had always maintained peaceful relations with its neighbors, including Cameroon, Benin Republic, and Chad.
On the allegations of establishment of a military base, the NSA said it is completely untrue,Nigeria has no history of hosting foreign military bases not even with the United Kingdom, and has never attempted it. He pointed out that Nigeria firmly resisted an attempt by the U.S. to set up a base (AFRICOM) within its borders but Niger has hosted such bases, including one established by the U.S. which they recently expelled he clarified.
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu said France has military agreements with its former colonies, but Nigeria has never been part of such arrangements therfore claim that France is using Nigerian territory to launch an attack on Niger is both implausible and baseless.
According to him, while Niger’s leadership may have issues with France, it is unreasonable to expect Nigeria to sever ties with France over Niger’s internal disputes.
He urged journalists and the public to verify if there are any new foreign settlers, let alone French nationals, with areas mentioned by the Nigerien government.
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