The Niger Republic’s maximum ruler, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, during his 2024 Christmas Day nationwide broadcast alleged that the Niger’s neighbours are backing terrorists operating in his territory.
Tchiani also alleged that a military base for France was about to be set in Borno, a Nigerian state, sharing border with the Republic of Niger, a development he considered a threat to Niger’s sovereignty.
“Before the blinking of an eye, a France military base will be physically seen in Maiduguri, perhaps before the New Year and they will ‘fight’ Boko Haram.
“Then will begin to explore and prospect huge mineral resources and surely begin to exploit, harass, intimidate, kill, incapacitate, and annihilate the local people, which is typical of France’s presence in Africa,” he alleged.
Nigeria has debunked the allegations.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.- Gen. Edward Buba, dismissed the claim as fake and mischievous.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria hereby state unequivocally that this information is fake, totally false, and mischievous. It would be recalled that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, recently addressed this matter in various media forums, where he debunked such news and speculations.
“Accordingly, the general public is urged to disregard these claims and speculations that are still circulating in some quarters. It is clear that these are the antics of mischief makers,’’ he said.
Similarly, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the spokesman in the Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the allegations as baseless.
“These allegations are unfounded and should be discarded in their entirety.
“It is important to state that the relationship between Nigeria and France has always been cordial, and it is guided by mutual respect, dignity, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
“The ministry assures that 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,” he said.
The Political Counselor to the Embassy of France in Nigeria, Mr Bertrand de Seissan, also described Tchiani’s allegations as groundless.
“This has never been discussed or suggested by either France or Nigeria,” Bertrand said, adding that the topic has never been discussed nor even suggested by either France or Nigeria.
Rather than raise unnecessary dust and hit up military tension, what is expected from the Niger military ruler is maximum cooperation with Nigeria to protect the lives and interests of peoples of the region, be they Nigerians or Nigeriens.
Even the residents of the Lake Chad area find Niger government’s public utterances ill conceived.
“The Boko Haram issue on Lake Chad should be a subject of discussion for Tchiani, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, President Idriss Déby of Chad and President Paul Biya of Cameron.
“`Certainly not this fictitious France Military base,” Bulama Sa’adu a resident in one of the Lake Chad communities, said.
Sa’adu is right, especially when looking at the challenges faced by Gov. Babagana Zulum in his Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement efforts for no fewer than two million Boko Haram insurgency survivors.
Alhaji Abubakar Gamandi, the Chairman, Lake Chad Basin Fishermen Association of Nigeria, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the Boko Haram insurgents were not out for reconciliation.
Gamandi expressed optimism that the best option was to fight them and free the teeming farming and fishing communities who have been subjected to economic and social slavery by the insurgents.
Gamandi predicted that the Nigerian military could crush the insurgents within three to four months if they are pushed to do so.
There have been concerns about the safety of the survivors in most of the communities where Zulum administration is planning to resettle them as they remain vulnerable to trans-boundary attacks.
When he visited some in southern Borno communities in November for that purpose, he said he would push for the establishment of a Brigade Command in the area to combat the security challenge.
To many, the decision of the governor to lobby for the establishment of Brigade Command is a welcome development.
The Emir of Askira, Dr Albdullahi Askirama II, told the governor that out of the 12 district heads under his domain, eight have abandoned their communities and currently staying with him.
“The soldiers are trying their best but your esteemed office must intervene and call for reinforcement of security forces in our communities.
“We share borders with Sambisa, Chibok and other volatile communities where the insurgents can easily attack.
“We want to you to continue to help us as it were and help our district heads to return to their communities,” the traditional ruler pleaded with Zulum.
For instance, when the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieut. – Gen. Olufemi Oluyede visited Borno in December, he pledged to boost the morale of the troops to end Boko Haram attacks.
“I believe we can make an end of this insecurity within the region.
“I am soliciting more support from you the governor and also to request to the people is high time we stop the whole thing because we will continue to be on the same course.
“We have been fighting this for the past 15 years. I think is time for us to put an end to it,” he said.
No matter the insinuations by Niger, for strategic reasons, security experts say Nigeria cannot give up any inch of its territory in the Lake Chad Basin.
There is evidence of crude oil reserves and other materials in the area. It is also rich in maritime resources, including fish.
“The 95 per cent of those fishing on the Niger’s territory in Lake Chad including the traders, are Nigerians.
“Again on the side, Chad, about 50 per cent of the fishermen too, and those trading in fish are Nigerians.
“Similarly, about 60 per cent of those fishing on the Cameroonian side of Lake Chad, and those trading in fish too, are also Nigerians,” said fishermen chief, Gamandi.
He also explained that the Nigerian market in Doron Baga is the central market where all the traders from Niger, Cameroon and Chad supply their goods.
“But unfortunately this lucrative business is no longer booming, partly due to insurgency and the inaction of the military who are not handling the matter as serious as it should be,” Gamandi said.
The Doron Baga market alone, according to the fisherman, has been supplying from 50 to 70 truckloads of smoked-fish weekly to Nigerian Markets.
He said that market’s weekly turnover is worth more than one billion naira on the average, from every week consecutively for three months in a year.
“It is estimated that about one million people benefit from fishing value chains on the Nigerian side alone throughout the year.
Given its enormous contribution to the wellbeing of the peoples of the Basin, Gamandi says partnership was vital to ensure that the decline in productivity in the area was halted.
“As we speak, the productivity in this business has gone down by about 90 per cent due to insurgency problems.
“Today Boko Haram insurgents are collecting royalty before allowing citizens to cultivate or embark on fishing.
“People pay at least N50, 000 before they will be allowed to farm in a small farmland while fishermen pay about N30,000.
“Those who think that the Lake Chad Basin has little of value to offer to Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon are making a mistake,’’ Gamandi said.
His assertions are corroborated by Zulum who says the Lake is capable of providing employment opportunities to the vulnerable and underserved populations.
“Unfortunately because of insurgency, the entire shore of Lake Chad has become deserted. Nobody is there and the area has become a safe haven for members of Boko Haram insurgents.
“The socio-economic dynamics of insurgency has to be looked into not necessarily kinetic measures. We cannot deal with them completely using the kinetic measures.
The Boko Haram insurgency is an international terrorist group. Boko Haram killing and banditry affect Nigerians, Nigeriens, Chadians and Cameroonians alike.
Rather than stoke security tension, political and security actors such as Niger’s ruling junta should continue to explore military and political cooperation options.
A review of the fight against insurgency in West Africa is long overdue. Tinubu being Chairman of ECOWAS should champion the process.
To crush Boko Haram and silence enemies of Nigeria is a task Nigeria’s military must accomplish. The time to do the needful is now.