The Nigerian Senate has initiated an investigation into provocative allegations made by Brig. Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, the head of state of Niger Republic, against Nigeria. The allegations, which involve claims of collusion between Nigeria and France to destabilize Niger, have sparked a significant diplomatic stir.
The decision to investigate came after a motion was presented and adopted during a plenary session in Abuja, with the Senate mandating its Committees on National Security and Intelligence, as well as Foreign Affairs, to delve into the matter. The investigation aims to clarify the veracity of these accusations, particularly those involving the formation of a militia group called Lakurawa in Nigeria’s Northwest region, allegedly with French support to undermine Niger’s stability.
According to sources on the web, Tchiani’s allegations include claims that Nigeria has facilitated the establishment of Lakurawa bases in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states and that foreign military bases on Nigerian soil are targeting Niger’s oil pipelines. These claims have been met with swift rebuttals from Nigerian officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai, who have dismissed them as baseless.
The Senate’s resolution follows a period of strained relations between Nigeria and Niger, particularly after the coup in Niger in July 2023, which led to Tchiani taking power. Nigeria, as the leader of ECOWAS, had pushed for the restoration of constitutional democracy in Niger, an effort that was gradually showing signs of progress until these allegations surfaced, complicating the diplomatic landscape once more.
Senator Shehu Umar Buba, who sponsored the motion, emphasized the gravity of the accusations, noting their potential to tarnish Nigeria’s international reputation and sovereignty. He pointed out that no such agreements allowing foreign military bases or militias have been approved by the Nigerian National Assembly, as required by the country’s Constitution.
The committees have been given four weeks to conduct their investigation, which will include fact-finding visits to the areas mentioned in the allegations. This move by the Senate not only aims at defending Nigeria’s sovereignty but also at ensuring that any misinformation or false narratives do not disrupt the historical and cooperative ties between Nigeria and Niger.
As this situation unfolds, the outcomes of the Senate’s investigation could significantly influence future diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and Niger, potentially either mending or further straining the relations in this volatile region. The Nigerian government, meanwhile, continues to assert its commitment to regional peace and stability, rejecting any accusations that suggest otherwise.
