The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, on Friday, dismissed the claim on the planned destabilisation of the Niger Republic by the Nigerian government.
The Nigerien military leader, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, had in a broadcast during the week that Nigeria was colluding with France to destabilise the landlocked West African country.
Ribadu, in an interview with BBC Hausa Service, described Tchiani’s claims as surprising and disturbing.
He said the allegations were baseless.
The NSA pointed out that Nigeria had always maintained peaceful relations with its neighbours, including Cameroon, Benin Republic, and Chad.
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He said: “Why would we suddenly have a reason to be in conflict with Niger? It simply doesn’t make sense.”
Ribadu also rejected the allegation that Nigeria was hosting a French military base, saying Nigeria had no history of hosting foreign military bases.
He noted that even the United Kingdom, Nigeria’s former colonial master, had never attempted to establish a base in the country.
“Nigeria firmly resisted an attempt by the United States to set up a base (AFRICOM) within our borders,” he added.
The NSA dismissed the claim that France was using Nigerian territory to launch an attack on Niger as “implausible and baseless.”
According to Ribadu, Nigeria’s relationship with France is based on economic cooperation, not military collaboration.
He urged Niger’s leadership to reconsider its decision to sever ties with France.
He also called the Nigerien junta to reconsider its withdrawal from the joint military campaign in the Lake Chad region.
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