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Nigeria has strongly denied allegations by Niger that it supported militant groups involved in destabilizing the country. The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed claims of involvement in a December 13 attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline in the Gaya region and accusations of harboring French troops preparing to destabilize Niger.
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“These allegations are unfounded and should be discarded in their entirety,” the ministry stated, expressing “strong concern” over the accusations. The statement came in response to Niger’s summoning of a top Nigerian diplomat three days earlier.
Niger’s Foreign Minister, Bakary Yaou Sangare, had alleged that Nigeria was “serving as a rear base for the destabilization of Niger with the complicity of some foreign powers and officials of the former regime, to whom it offers refuge.” The Nigerien government also claimed that forces based in Nigeria assisted in the attack carried out by the Lakurawa terrorist group.
Nigeria categorically rejected the accusations. “The Federal Government of Nigeria refutes in very strong terms allegations by the Nigerien authorities that the Lakurawa terrorist group, with the help of foreign security forces, including Nigerian security forces, were responsible for the attack,” said the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
The Nigerian government expressed condolences to Niger over the pipeline attack but emphasized its commitment to combating terrorism and its disassociation from any involvement.
“The Government of Nigeria condoles with the Government of Niger over the unfortunate attack on the oil pipeline but informs that the perpetrators were neither backed nor assisted by Nigerian authorities. The Government of Nigeria is strongly committed to the fight against terrorism and will not condone or support the activities of such groups,” the statement read.
Nigeria also dismissed claims of French military presence in its northern region, calling them baseless. “There are no French military troops in the northern part of the country preparing to destabilize the Government of Niger,” the statement added.
Relations between Nigeria and Niger have been strained since the 2023 military coup in Niamey, which led Niger to break away from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Although ties improved briefly in August with the resumption of security cooperation, tensions have flared again with these recent accusations.
“Nigeria will continue to explore all peaceful means to maintain its cordial relationship with the Republic of Niger for the benefit of the people of both countries,” the statement concluded.
