Criticisms force Nigerian govt to deny plans to host US, French military bases on nation’s soil
After widespread criticisms and warnings mainly from Northern part of Nigeria, the Federal Government in the country has finally come out with a denial of report that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration plans to allow relocation of United States of American military base and that of France to be sited on the nation’s soil.
This denial was made by the country’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, through a statement on social networks on Monday.
Rumours about the installation of foreign bases are “falsehood,” the minister said.
Accordingto the minister, “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,” he stressed.
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“The Nigerian government already enjoys foreign cooperation in tackling ongoing security challenges,” the minister added.
The statement is made against the backdrop of US-Niger discussions on the withdrawal of the US troops from the Nigerien soil and the relocation of 60 of American soldiers from Chad’s territory to Germany on May 1.
Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali had rejected and expelled US and French soldiers from their country, saying their presence, rather than reducing terrorism, has increased it.
