Nigeria-Niger Tensions: Tinubu Told To Fortify Borders Against Threats

Retired army generals, former diplomats, and security experts have called on President Bola Tinubu to bolster Nigeria’s northern borders as tensions with Niger escalate.

This comes amid allegations from Niger’s military junta accusing Nigeria of destabilising activities.

Brigadier General Abdourahmane Tchiani, Niger’s military leader, recently alleged that France negotiated with terrorists in Nigeria to undermine his regime.

Tchiani claimed France paid President Tinubu to establish a military base in Nigeria and accused the country of sponsoring terrorist attacks along Niger’s borders.

The junta also linked Nigeria to a recent attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline, allegedly orchestrated by Lakurawa.

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, dismissed the allegations, stating there were no foreign military bases in Nigeria. Ribadu affirmed that Nigeria would maintain diplomatic ties with France and other global powers, despite Niger’s accusations.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also refuted the junta’s claims, describing them as baseless. However, experts have warned of the crisis’s security implications.

General Bashir Adewinbi (retd.) urged the Federal Government to adopt contingency plans to safeguard border communities, citing Nigeria’s porous borders as a significant vulnerability. “We must secure our borders by all means. A perimeter fence may be necessary to identify who enters Nigeria and their intentions,” Adewinbi said. He stressed the need for a strict foreign policy to protect national interests.

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EKO HOT BLOG gathered that Brigadier General John Sura (retd.) echoed these concerns, warning that the Nigerien junta’s allegations could strain bilateral relations. He suggested deploying troops and drones along the borders to counter potential threats. “Such statements could be a prelude to aggression or terrorist infiltration,” he noted.

Former army chief Gen. Ishola Williams (retd.) dismissed the junta’s accusations as propaganda, aimed at diverting attention from Niger’s internal problems. Similarly, retired diplomat Sola Abolurin described the claims as an attempt to undermine President Tinubu’s administration, particularly in Nigeria’s northern region.

Meanwhile, residents of border communities in Sokoto State denied the presence of foreign military camps. Community leaders and residents of areas like Gudu and Tangaza LGAs confirmed ongoing collaboration with Nigerien forces to combat banditry but refuted claims of foreign interference.

Experts have urged the Federal Government to tread cautiously, as mishandling the issue could damage Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with Niger and other neighboring countries.

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