Traditional rulers and residents of border communities in Sokoto and Kebbi states have refuted claims by Nigerien leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, that Nigeria is host to a French military base and training camps.
Tchiani in a Christmas Day interview had claimed that Nigeria had provided a base for French soldiers near Lake Chad.
He also claimed training camps had been established for terrorists in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara, all aimed at destabilising Niger.
Alhaji Aminu Aliyu, the District Head of Balle, a border community with Niger, in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State, dismissed Tchiani’s claims.
He described the Nigerien leader’s claims as baseless, saying none of his subjects had reported the presence of foreign soldiers or camps in the area.
According to another community leader, Malam Abdurahman Usman, Marake, Kurdula and Bikini communities are located between eight and 35 kilometres from Niger and residents have not sighted any military camp.
Usman stressed that residents of Balle and other communities were relating well with their counterparts in Nigerien border communities and had at no time reported military presence.
Malam Kabiru Muhammad, a resident of Ruwa-wuri community in Tangaza Local Government Area, acknowledged the presence of Lakurawa bandits some times, but not foreign military camps in the area.
“Lakurawa terrorists are being chased away by personnel of the Nigerian Army stationed in our area, but there is no foreign military camp in the area, ” Muhammad said.
Adamu Bagobiri, Yusuf Abubakar and Ibrahim Kadadi, all residents of Tangaza, also denied seeing any military training camp in the area.
They, however, urged the Nigerien leader to cement the long-existing relationship between Nigeria and Niger as many engage in intermarriage and business relationships.
On his part, the Sarkin Arewan Araba, Alhaji Abubakar Yusufu, dismissed claims of a village or forest called Gaba in his domain.
He also debunked the allegation of foreign military camp in the area.
“There is no such forest in Araba district or Illela Local Government and we are yet to see any foreigner in our villages.
“These are tea joint discussions. Instead, it is the Nigerien military operatives that have been coming into our area every night,” he said.
The district head cautioned the Nigerien leader against making baseless allegations capable of severing historic ties.
Another resident of Araba, Malam Muhammadu Danladi, said the allegation of training camps was meant to smear the image of Nigeria.
“It is a lie, there is no presence of foreigners in our community. It is just a mere allegation which is unfounded,” he said
He also said there had been a deliberate attempt by Nigerien soldiers to harass Nigerians in border communities in the last six months.
In Kebbi State, Alhaji Murtala Muhammad-Kaka, the District Head of Bayawa in Augie Local Government Area, also dismissed allegations of foreign military camps in the area.
Muhammad-Kaka described the Nigerien leader’s allegations as an attempt to jeopardise the peace and stability enjoyed by border communities in Niger and Nigeria.
Condemning the Nigerien leader’s claims as divisive, Muhammada-Kaka called for more initiatives to promote cooperation between both countries.
(NAN)
