The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has strongly denied allegations that the French military is planning to establish a base in Nigeria.
The claim was initially made by human rights activist Mahdi Shehu, who, in a social media post accompanied by a video, accused the Nigerian government of secretly allowing French troops into the country.
The human rights activist alleged that French military officers had already arrived in Borno State as part of plans to establish a base in Maiduguri.
He further suggested that the establishment of a French military base would result in the exploitation of Nigeria’s natural resources and mistreatment of local communities, drawing parallels with France’s controversial role in other African countries.
Shehu’s post read in part: “Last week, the Chief of Defence Staff denied any plan to establish French military bases in Nigeria.
“Yesterday, the Chief of Army Staff received the first contingent of French soldiers and immediately deployed them to Maiduguri to ‘HELP NIGERIA IN FIGHTING BOKO HARAM.’ The same Boko Haram they claimed to have decimated and are scampering for safety.
“Before the blinking of an eye, a FRANCE military base will be physically seen in Maiduguri, perhaps before the new year, so that they will ‘FIGHT’ Boko Haram and begin to explore and prospect huge mineral resources and surely begin to exploit, harass, intimidate, kill, incapacitate, and annihilate the local people, which is typical of France’s presence in Africa.”
In response, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, released a statement on Monday categorically dismissing the claims as false and misleading.
Hey said, “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to online reports alleging the arrival of the first contingent of French soldiers in Maiduguri towards establishing a French military base in North-East Nigeria.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria hereby state unequivocally that this information is fake, totally false, and mischievous. It would be recalled that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, recently addressed this matter in various media forums, where he debunked such news and speculations.
“Accordingly, the general public is urged to disregard these claims and speculations that are still circulating in some quarters. It is clear that these are the antics of mischief makers.
“Nevertheless, the military will continue to carry out its constitutional responsibilities most professionally and ensure the territorial integrity of our nation. Kindly disseminate, please.”
Maj. Gen. Buba emphasized that the Nigerian military remains committed to safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity and carrying out its constitutional responsibilities with professionalism.
He urged the public to disregard the false reports, describing them as the work of mischief-makers.
