The Senate has resolved to investigate the allegations by the Niger Republic Head of State, Brig. Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, against Nigeria.
Tchiani had in December last year alleged that Nigeria was colluding with France to destabilise his country.
This followed the adoption of a motion on the need to investigate the allegations against Nigeria’s sovereignty by Tchiani sponsored by the Senator from Bauchi State, Umar Buba, at Thursday’s plenary in Abuja.
Buba in the motion expressed deep concern over what he described as serious and unfounded allegations made by the Nigerien leader.
He said that Tchiani had accused Nigeria of colluding with France to destabilise Niger through a new militia group called Lakurawa said to be operating in Nigeria’s North-West zone.
According to Buba, the Nigerien leader also alleged plans to establish a base for Lakurawa in a forest near Gaba in Sokoto State, with an operational reach extending to Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi States.
He pointed out that Nigeria and Niger Republic shared a long-standing, cordial, and mutually-beneficial relationship spanning centuries and marked by cooperation in security, trade and culture.
He, however, said that diplomatic relations between the two countries had become strained following the July 26, 2023 coup which disrupted constitutional order in the landlocked West African country.
“Upon learning of these allegations, the National Security Adviser swiftly and unequivocally dismissed them as baseless by clarifying that Nigeria has never allowed a foreign military base on its soil, having previously rejected such requests from both the United States and the United Kingdom.
“Ribadu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining peaceful relations with its neighbours, including Chad, Benin Republic, and Cameroon.
“He (Ribadu) emphasised the need to focus on common enemies – terrorist groups – rather than engaging in unnecessary hostilities,” he said.
In its resolution, the Senate mandated its committees on National Security, Intelligence, and Foreign Affairs to investigate the allegations by the Nigerien military ruler against Nigeria.