Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris.
The Nigerian government has said claims of possible establishment of military bases by the U.S. and French governments in the country are false.
According to a statement by the country’s Minister for Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Monday, May 6, these claims were false alarms.
“the 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 minister said.
He added that 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, to achieve the national security objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The minister’s statement was in response to a letter by leaders of thought from Nigeria’s northern region, which borders Niger Republic, strongly advising the government against accommodating any foreign military bases in the country as the repercussions would be detrimental to Nigeria’s neutral status within the sub region and in the new geopolitical balance.
