“France is paying Nigeria to destabilize us” — Niger

In a bold and controversial claim, Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, has accused France of financially backing Nigerian authorities to establish a military base in Borno State—a move he alleges is part of a larger scheme to destabilize Niger and its neighboring countries.

These explosive allegations were shared by counterterrorism expert Zagazola Makama on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, where he relayed General Tiani’s address.

According to the Nigerien junta leader, France is conspiring with local terror groups and ISWAP to create chaos across the borders of Niger, Nigeria, Benin, and Burkina Faso.

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Tiani’s claims point to a chilling scenario where the Gaba Forest—situated on the border between Sokoto in Nigeria and Niger—has been earmarked as a base for terrorists allegedly recruited by France.

He further stated that key Nigerian officials, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Ahmed Abubakar Rufa’i, have been informed of this “massive conspiracy.”

“We seem to have chosen our interlocutors poorly,” the general stated, accusing France of exploiting local expertise to fuel instability in the region.

The security analyst, Makama, suggested that Tiani’s accusations might be part of a broader strategy to isolate Nigeria, given its diplomatic ties with France. While the allegations are yet to be substantiated, they reflect worsening relations between Niger and its former colonial ruler following Niger’s July 2023 military coup.

“Tiani’s administration appears to be leveraging these accusations to shift focus from domestic challenges and consolidate power,”

Makama noted in his analysis, warning that such rhetoric risks straining Niger’s fragile ties with Nigeria.

Makama stressed that baseless claims such as these could harm collaborative security efforts aimed at stabilizing the Sahel region.

“These accusations not only undermine joint initiatives but also risk fueling unnecessary tensions between neighboring nations,” he concluded.