In a dramatic move, the Nigerian Senate has called for a thorough investigation into the explosive allegations made by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, the military leader of Niger Republic.
Tchiani had accused the Nigerian government of conspiring with France to destabilize Niger’s internal security.
The Senate’s decision came after a motion was introduced by Shehu Buba, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, who expressed serious concerns over the accusations.
During the presentation of the motion, Senator Buba highlighted the troubling claims made by Tchiani, particularly the wrongful involvement of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai, in the alleged conspiracy.
Tchiani’s accusations include allegations that the Nigerian government is aiding the terrorist group Lakurawa in establishing bases across the North-West, specifically in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states.
Furthermore, Tchiani’s accusations suggest that foreign military bases operating within Nigeria are being used to carry out operations targeting Niger’s vital oil pipelines, exacerbating security threats in the region.
With tensions running high, the Senate has ordered an immediate investigation to probe these grave accusations, which have raised questions about the security dynamics in the region and the potential involvement of foreign powers in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
The motion read in part “The Senate notes with deep concern the serious and unfounded allegations made by the Head of State of Niger Republic, Brig. Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, accusing Nigeria of colluding with France to destabilise Niger through a new militia group called Lakurawa, allegedly operating in Nigeria’s Northwest region.
“Also notes that Brig. Gen. Tchiani also alleged plans to establish a base for Lakurawa in a forest near Gaba, Sokoto State, with operational reach extending to Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi States. Additionally, he claimed that foreign military bases in Nigeria are being used to target Niger’s oil pipelines and create security threats.
“Recalls that diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Niger were strained following the coup d’état of 26th July 2023, which disrupted constitutional order in Niger. As the head of ECOWAS, Nigeria insisted on the restoration of constitutional democracy. This situation had been gradually normalizing before these latest unfounded accusations by the Head of State of Niger on 26 December 2024.”
In a decisive move, the Senate, under the leadership of Deputy President Barau Jibrin, passed a resolution during plenary to mandate its Joint Committee on National Security and Intelligence/Foreign Affairs to investigate the serious allegations raised by General Abdourahmane Tchiani.
The committee has been tasked with submitting a comprehensive report within four weeks. As part of the investigation, members are instructed to visit the states named in the claims—Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi—to determine if the terrorist group Lakurawa has established any operational bases in the region.
