Niger Republic Accuses Nigeria of Destabilization Efforts After Pipeline Sabotage

The Federal Republic of Nigeria has firmly denied accusations of involvement in the December 13 attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline in Gaya, Niger Republic.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on Saturday that the Nigerian government is not linked to the Lakurawa terrorist group and refutes claims of collaboration by its security forces in the incident.

The statements noted that "The Government of Nigeria expresses condolences to the Government of Niger for the unfortunate oil pipeline attack but clarifies that Nigerian authorities neither backed nor assisted the perpetrators."

Relations between Nigeria and Niger have been strained since the military coup in Niamey in 2023, which led to Niger’s departure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This tension has been exacerbated by President Bola Tinubu's cooperation with France, a Western power accused by African nations of supporting regional terrorists.