The Nigerian Senate has launched an investigation into allegations by Niger Republic’s Head of State, Abdourahmane Tchiani, accusing Nigeria of conspiring with France to destabilise his country through a militia group, Lakurawa.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau directed the National Security and Intelligence and Foreign Affairs committees to conduct a thorough probe and submit their findings within four weeks.
The Senate has resolved to conduct a fact-finding mission to Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states to verify the presence of the alleged armed group.
The motion was sponsored by Senator Shehu Umar (APC, Bauchi South), who dismissed the allegations as serious but unfounded and stressed Nigeria’s longstanding cordial relations with Niger Republic.
He recalled that diplomatic tensions arose following Niger’s July 26, 2023, coup, but efforts had been underway to normalise relations before Tchiani’s recent claims.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has denied the allegations, emphasising that Nigeria has never hosted foreign military bases and has always prioritised regional peace.
Nigerian officials, including former National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General Ahmed Rufai, were wrongly implicated in Tchiani’s claims.
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, urged that discussions on the matter remain classified due to its security implications.
The Senate emphasised its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and ensuring that baseless accusations do not damage the country’s international reputation. him.
Recall that Tchiani made the claims in a December 2024 interview, alleging that a training camp for Lakurawa terrorists was planned in the Gaba forest near Sokoto, supposedly under an agreement between France and ISWAP (Islamic State’s West Africa Province). He also accused Nigeria of hosting foreign military bases targeting Niger’s oil pipelines.