By Emmanuel Nduka
The Nigerian Government has maintained that it is not considering establishing any foreign military base in the country, amid rising security challenges.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement on Monday, described as “false” reports in certain quarters that the Nigerian government is considering siting such military base in the country.
“The Federal 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 noted.
Heritage Times HT had reported that some northern leaders, in a letter, cautioned President Bola Tinubu against allowing the United States and the French governments to relocate their military bases from the Sahel to Nigeria, saying accepting such a proposal would pose dangers to the country.
In his statement, the information minister said, “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, with the goal of achieving the national security objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
