Communities along the Nigeria-Niger border are gripped with anxiety following accusations by Niger’s military leader, Brig. Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, alleging Nigeria’s involvement in destabilizing his country.
The accusations, which Nigeria has vehemently denied, have sparked fears of conflict in these historically peaceful regions.
Tchiani claimed in a Christmas Day interview that French soldiers were stationed in Nigeria near Lake Chad and that training camps for terrorists were established in Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states to undermine Niger's junta-led government.
Nigeria’s Federal Government dismissed these claims as baseless, with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Minister of Information Mohammed Idris labeling the allegations as diversionary tactics to cover up the failures of Tchiani’s regime.
Residents of affected border communities, however, are calling for urgent diplomatic action. “We’ve lived peacefully with our Nigerien neighbors for years. This tension must be resolved quickly,” said Muhammad Illiyasu, the Magaji of Balle in Sokoto State.
Despite Tchiani's claims, many residents, including trans-border traders and local leaders, refuted any evidence of French or terrorist activities in the region. They urged both governments to avoid escalating tensions that could disrupt trade and livelihoods.
Experts, like Dr. Murtala Ahmed Rufai of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, have also criticized Tchiani's allegations as “unfounded,” emphasizing the long-standing historical and economic ties between the two nations.
Border communities, which bore the brunt of ECOWAS-imposed sanctions during the 2023 Niger coup, fear a repeat of the economic hardship experienced during the closure.
“The sanctions crippled businesses and livelihoods. We can’t afford another disruption,” lamented Hassan Tabani, a trader in Sokoto.
As diplomatic tensions simmer, residents on both sides of the border hope for swift and peaceful resolutions to avoid further strain on their intertwined lives and economies.