Senate Seeks Probe Into Niger Republic’s Allegations On Nigeria’s Sovereignty

The Nigerian Senate is to investigate an allegations by Niger Republic’s Head of State,  Brigadier General Abdourahmane Tchiani against Nigeria’s sovereignty.

The investigation is designed  to use diplomatic and security measures to restore and strengthen historical ties between Nigeria and Niger Republic

Senate decision is sequel to a motion on “Urgent need to investigate allegations against Nigeria’s sovereignty by the Head of State of Niger Republic, Brig. Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani”.

Brigadier General Tchiani had alleged Nigeria’s purported collusion with France to destabilise his country.

Sponsor of the motion, Senator Umar Shehu Buba (PDP-Bauchi). expressed deep concern the serious and unfounded allegations made by the Head of State of Niger Republic, Brig. Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani.

He said Tchiani had accused Nigeria of colluding with France to destabilise Niger Republic through a new militia group called Lakuratwa, allegedly operating in Nigeria’s Northwest region.

According to Buba, the Nigerien leader also also alleged plans to establish a base for Lakurawa in a forest near Gaba, Sokoto State, with operational reach extending to Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi States.

Relationship

Buba noted that Nigeria and Niger Republic have shared a long-standing, cordial, and mutually beneficial relationship spanning centuries, marked by cooperation in security, trade, and cultural ties.

He however, said the diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Niger Republic became strained following the coup d’état of July 26, 2023, which disrupted constitutional order in Niger Republic.

Restore Constitutional Democracy

According to him, Nigeria as the Head of ECOWAS, insisted on the restoration of constitutional democracy, stating that the situation had been gradually  returning to normalcy before these latest unfounded accusations by the Head of State of Niger on  Dec 26, 2024.

Buba said in an attempt to legitimise the allegations, the Nigerien military junta wrongfully implicated certain Nigerian officials,including the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Rufai

Regional Peace

He said the two Nigerian leaders have been working tirelessly to ensure regional peace and stability, in line with Nigeria’s national security strategy.

“Also notes that 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 neighbors, including Chad, Benin, and Cameroon, and emphasized the need to focus on common enemies-terrorist groups-rather than engaging in unnecessary hostilities,” Buba said.

He expressed  worry that despite established diplomatic channels for addressing grievances, the Nigerien Head of State chose to make unfounded public accusations, thereby tarnishing Nigeria’s international image and undermining its sovereignty.

He said any attempt to deliberately undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and international standing must be condemned, particularly when such claims lack substantive proofs.

He said the motion underscored the Senate’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty, preserving its international reputation, and foster peaceful and cooperative relations with neighboring countries.

The Nigerian Senate therefore mandated its committees on National Security, Intelligence and Foreign Affairs to investigate within 4 weeks, allegations by the Niger Republic’s Leader against Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Confidence Okwuchi