Residents of Sokoto State’s border communities have dismissed allegations of French military presence in the area, calling the claims baseless.
The leader of the military junta in Niger Republic recently accused President Bola Tinubu and his administration of collaborating with French forces to attack Niger. However, during a fact-finding mission to Tangaza and Gudu Local Government Areas, our correspondent found no evidence to support these allegations.
Speaking at his palace in Balle, Gudu Local Government Area, the traditional ruler, Alhaji Aminu Aliyu, categorically denied the existence of any foreign military camps. “The claims by the Nigerien junta leader are baseless. My people, who are mostly engaged in farming and trading, have not reported any such camp in our area,” Aliyu said.
Similarly, Malam Abdurahman Shehu, a community leader, stated that border communities such as Marake, Kudula, and Bikini, located within 3 to 35 kilometers of the Niger Republic, had not seen any foreign military activity. “We have a cordial relationship with Nigerien communities, and there have been no reports of such camps from our people,” Shehu added.
Malam Kabiru Muhammad, a resident of Ruwa-Wuri in Tangaza Local Government Area, acknowledged occasional incidents involving Lakurawa bandits but refuted claims of foreign military camps. “We’ve seen Lakurawa bandits trespass on our farms, but they are always chased away by the Nigerian Army. There is no foreign military camp terrorizing us,” Muhammad said.
A commercial motorcyclist identified as Ibrahim, who has operated in Ruwa-Wuri for over five years, echoed similar sentiments. “I frequently travel to and from the Niger Republic daily. I have never seen any army apart from Nigerian and Nigerien forces,” he explained.
Ibrahim Mutolib, chairman of the Ruwa-Wuri cattle market, also dismissed the claims. He emphasized the peaceful relations between Nigerian and Nigerien traders in the market, further discrediting the allegations.
Residents urged authorities to disregard the unfounded accusations, reaffirming that no foreign military presence exists in their communities.
