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From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate has mandated its Committees on Intelligence and National Security and Foreign Affairs to investigate allegations made by the Head of State of Niger Republic, Brigadier General Abdourahmane Tchiani, that Nigeria was colluding with France to destabilise his country.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Shehu Umar Buba (Bauchi South) during plenary, yesterday.
Brig. Gen. Tchiani had alleged that a new militia group, Lakurawa, was being formed in Nigeria’s North West region to threaten the Niger Republic. He also claimed that a base was being established in a forest near Gaba, Sokoto State, with operational reach extending to Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states. Additionally, he accused Nigeria of allowing foreign military bases on its soil to target Niger’s oil pipelines.
Buba expressed deep concern over the claims, which he described as unfounded and damaging to Nigeria’s sovereignty and international reputation.
The motion noted that the allegations came despite Nigeria and Niger sharing a long history of cooperation in security, trade, and culture, though diplomatic ties between the two nations had been strained since the July 26, 2023 coup in Niger, which led to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), under Nigeria’s leadership, demanding a return to constitutional democracy.
He claimed that relations were gradually improving before Tchiani’s latest accusations on December 26, 2024, and observed that the allegations wrongly implicated Nigerian officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and former National Intelligence Agency’s Director-General, Ahmed Rufai, both of whom have played key roles in promoting regional peace and stability.
The Senate expressed concern that instead of utilising diplomatic channels, the Nigerien leader made public accusations that could tarnish Nigeria’s image and undermine its sovereignty.
The lawmakers stressed that Nigeria’s constitution grants the National Assembly oversight over international treaties and agreements, and no such arrangement allowing foreign military bases or militias had been approved.
The Senate then resolved that the committees should investigate Tchiani’s allegations and report their findings in four weeks.
They are to embark on a fact-finding visit to Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states to verify the existence of the alleged militia group and recommend diplomatic and security measures to strengthen historical ties between Nigeria and Niger, while ensuring regional stability.
