Nigeria has emphatically denied claims by Niger’s military ruler, Brigadier General Abdourahmane Tchiani, that it collaborated with France to destabilize Niger. In an interview aired on Christmas Day, Tchiani accused France of joining forces with militant groups in the Lake Chad region to threaten Niger’s security, allegedly with Nigeria’s foreknowledge.
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, dismissed Tchiani’s accusations as baseless and untrue. Ribadu stated that Nigeria would never harm a neighboring country or stand idly by while it faces danger. Similarly, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris described the allegations as pure fabrication intended to divert attention from the challenges facing Niger’s junta since it seized power in 2023.
Diplomatic tensions between the two West African nations have been high since the coup that ousted former President Mohamed Bazoum. Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, who also serves as chair of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), led the regional bloc in imposing economic sanctions against Niger and threatened possible military intervention if constitutional rule was not restored.
Ecowas came to Nigeria’s defense, praising its track record of promoting peace across Africa. It rejected any insinuation that Nigeria would finance or support terrorism. In parallel, Niger’s relationship with France has also deteriorated, prompting calls for the withdrawal of foreign military bases and the formation of a security alliance with fellow junta-led neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso. As officials on all sides debate the future of regional security, analysts say the growing rift remains a serious concern for stability in the Sahel region.