Niger’s President, General Abdourahamane Tiani, revealed in an interview that top leaders of the Lakurawa terrorist group, who were recently arrested, disclosed a plot by the French government to set up a camp in Gaba village, Sokoto State in northern Nigeria as a terror hub.
“The agreement was signed on March 4, 2024, between ISWAP and the French government,” Tiani stated. “The forest would serve as an operational base for the terrorists, carrying out their heinous activities in the Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi axis.”
Tiani claimed that Nigerian leaders were aware of this plot, initially thinking it was a joke. He emphasized that, given Niger’s relationship with Nigeria, they could not remain silent about any potential harm to the country.
“We informed the former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, and the office of the National Security Adviser. The NIA boss promised to send a delegation to gather first-hand information on the allegations,” Tiani explained.
The delegation visited various locations, including prisons in Niamey, and interacted with different terrorist groups. “The terrorists confirmed to the delegation what the French government is plotting. Unfortunately, there was a compromise, and today you see the result,” Tiani concluded.
