Just in: FG breaks silence on alleged housing of U.S., French military bases in Nigeria
The Nigerian government has denied reports making the rounds that it is planning to accept offers from top Western countries including the United States and France, to house their military bases in the country.
Afri Reporters reported earlier that leaders from the northern part of Nigeria called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration not to allow the United States, France, and other states to move their military outposts from the Sahel to Nigeria.
This was contained in a letter written to Tinubu and the National Assembly.
Signatories to the letter included Abubakar Mohammed of the Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training (CEDDERT); Kabiru Chafe, former minister of state for petroleum resources, from the Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP); Attahiru Jega, former chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Jibrin Ibrahim of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD); Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani) of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CCISLAC); and YZ Ya’u of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD).
In the letter, they alleged that the US and French governments have been lobbying Nigeria and other countries in the region, to sign new defence pacts allowing them to redeploy their expelled troops from the junta-led countries in other West African countries.
“This is for the simple reason that terrorism, far from abating, has in fact risen dramatically since the US began its operations in the region,” the leaders said.
“Economically, the presence of these bases could potentially divert government funds and resources away from critical areas such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development toward maintaining and securing these military installations.
“This redirection of resources could stunt economic growth and exacerbate poverty in a country where much of the population already lives under challenging conditions.
“Moreover, hosting foreign troops often leads to increased prices and living costs in local areas, disproportionately affecting the lower-income population,” they said.
While reacting to the claim in a statement by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Federal government urged the general public to disregard the “falsehood.”
The statement by the Minister reads, “The Federal Government is aware of false alarms being raised in some quarters alleging discussions between the Federal Government of Nigeria and some foreign countries on the siting of foreign military bases in the country.
“We urge the general public to totally disregard this falsehood.
“The Federal Government is not in any such discussion with any foreign country. We have neither received nor are we considering any proposals from any country on the establishment of any foreign military bases in Nigeria.
“The Nigerian government already enjoys foreign cooperation in tackling ongoing security challenges, and the President remains committed to deepening these partnerships, with the goal of achieving the national security objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
