Shehu Sani, a former Senator representing Kaduna Central, has dismissed claims made by Niger Republic’s junta leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, accusing Nigeria of being complicit in the formation of the Lakurawa terrorist group.
Tchiani had alleged in a Christmas Day broadcast that Nigeria was harboring the terrorists and planning to set up a military base for France.
Sani described Tchiani’s statements as baseless, calling them “wild conjectures” and “hollow, superstitious, and imaginary conspiracy theories” without any credible evidence.
He emphasized that it was inconceivable for Nigeria, a country that has endured over a decade of terrorism and ongoing conflicts, to harbor such a group.
He also urged both Niger and Nigeria to collaborate in confronting the common threat posed by terrorism.
In response, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Tchiani’s accusations, describing them as purely imaginary, and reiterated that there were no French soldiers in Nigeria nor any plans to establish a French military base.
