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‘Drums of war’ between Nigeria-Niger:Tinubu urged to fortify borders
The call for stronger border security follows recent accusations by Niger’s military regime that Nigeria has been involved in destabilising activities.
Niger’s military leader, Brigadier General Abdourahmane Tchiani, in an interview on Wednesday, alleged that France was negotiating with terrorists in Nigeria to destabilise his country.
Tchiani, who spoke in Hausa, claimed that France made a “substantial payment to President Bola Tinubu” to establish a military base in Nigeria.
He also accused Nigeria of sponsoring terrorist attacks along its borders as a means of undermining the new leadership.
The junta blamed the Nigerian government for the recent attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline, reportedly orchestrated by Lakurawa.
In response, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, insisted that there was no foreign military base in Nigeria.
He said Nigeria would not sever its diplomatic ties with France over the Republic of Niger’s internal squabble with its erstwhile colonial master, adding that the country would also maintain diplomatic relations with Russia, the US, the United Kingdom, China, and other nations.
Weighing in on the matter, the Economic Community of West African States dismissed the claim by the Nigerien military junta that Nigeria and some other countries were sponsoring destabilisation efforts in Niger, insisting that the allegations were unfounded.
Examining the security implications of the crisis, General Bashir Adewinbi (retd.) advised the Federal Government to activate a security contingency plan to protect border communities from any fallout arising from the ongoing crisis.
He warned that the instability in Niger could have far-reaching security implications for Nigeria, particularly in the northern region.
“For every military action, there is always another contingency plan. So, they (Nigeria) must resort to another contingency plan, which I think should be in place to prevent any eventuality.
“We know from day one that the countries around Nigeria are part of Nigeria’s problems. Some of them see Nigeria as a country where they can do anything and get away with it. Terrorism, banditry, Lakurawa, and all these issues are coming from those places. And they have not been sincere with Nigeria.
“We should have a very strict foreign policy. Regardless of whatever they are doing with our leaders. It should be our primary objective. We have done so much for these neighbouring countries. We have helped them economically.”
Adewinbi added, “We should secure our borders by all means so that we can have our way. It may sound strange, but we may need perimeter fencing around Nigeria so that we will know who is a Nigerian and who is coming into Nigeria. What are they coming to do? What are their intentions?
“Our borders are too porous, and that is a major danger for the country. We have very porous borders, and let us not forget that not all countries like us. Some are our enemies. Let us be sincere with ourselves. This should be debated at the National Assembly; there should be a fence around Nigeria so that we can achieve lasting peace and have full control over our country and borders.”
A former Commander of the 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General John Sura (retd.), expressed concern over the statement made by the Nigerien military leader, predicting it could significantly strain the relationship between the two countries.
He urged the Federal Government to carefully analyse the allegations and reinforce the country’s borders to protect against any potential external threats.
Sura stressed the need for Nigeria to strengthen its northern borders to prevent the flow of militants, weapons, and other threats into the country.
He suggested that the Nigerien leader’s statement could be an attempt to discredit Nigeria and lay the groundwork for possible aggression.
“For a neighbouring country to make such a statement, it could be a falsehood meant to tarnish Nigeria’s image,” he stressed.
Sura warned that the Nigerien leader might be trying to raise troops against Nigeria and advised the Federal Government to deploy forces and drones along the borders as a precaution.
“There could even be an alliance with Russia, for all we know,” he added.
Emphasising the serious implications of such a relationship breakdown, the former commander said, “If someone you’ve had a relationship with begins to distance themselves and claims no connection, it’s essentially a declaration of hostility. The Nigerien government already rejected French troops and expelled them. Now, making such claims could be a prelude to justifying actions that could lead to a conflict, even to the extent of exporting terrorists into Nigeria.”
On his part, former army chief and ex-chairman of Transparency International Nigeria, Gen. Ishola Williams (retd.), criticised the statement made by Niger’s military leader, suggesting it was a calculated strategy to deflect attention from the country’s internal crises.
“The Nigerien military leader is simply seeking a diversion from his country’s internal problems. His aim is to garner sympathy from his people,” Williams remarked.
He likened the Nigerien leader’s actions to typical propaganda stunts often used by leaders under pressure.
Also commenting on the issue, a retired career diplomat, Sola Abolurin, described Niger’s allegations as an attempt to make the Tinubu government unpopular in the north.
He noted that the diplomatic fallout from the crisis could be compounded by Nigeria’s relationship with France.
“Niger, just like the Republic of Benin, is our cousin. Whatever happens to Niger will happen to us in Nigeria, particularly in the north. So, why would Nigeria want to cause unnecessary havoc or try to invade or destabilise Niger?”
In his reaction to the matter, Nigeria’s former Consul to Cameroon and delegate to the World Expo and Economic Development Centre in Paris, Rasheed Akinkuolie, noted that the accusations against the Federal Government of collusion with France were spurious.
He said General Tchiani should focus on addressing the issues he created for himself and leave Nigeria out of it.
Akinkuolie stated, “Niger Republic doesn’t need Nigeria, France, or any other country to destabilise it. Niger has a long history of military coups, which have always ended badly. General Tchiani, by making his speech in Hausa, is attempting to stir sentiments in Nigeria, which has a large Hausa population. Such a ruse will not succeed.
“The international community is demanding that the junta hand over to a democratically elected government. Tchiani should outline a planned transition, which should not take more than three years, in his own interest and for that of his country.”
Also speaking, a retired Nigerian ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, said the Federal Government must handle the issue carefully to avert a rift between Nigeria and Niger.
He stressed that if not handled well, it could rupture the diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Amedu-Ode stated, “We have a wide border and demographic contiguity on both sides. We also share a solid cultural affinity with each other, and the Federal Government must handle this matter carefully so it doesn’t escalate beyond what it is now.”
He noted that it was natural for Niger to be suspicious of Nigeria “because of the emerging closer relations with France against the backdrop of the recent state visit by the President of Nigeria to France.”
Residents deny foreign troops
Meanwhile, residents of border communities in Sokoto State have dismissed the allegations of the presence of the French Army within the border area of the country.
Our correspondent, who was in the border communities of Tangaza and Gudu Local Government Areas of the state, spoke with the District Head of Balle in Gudu LGA of the state, Alhaji Aminu Aliyu.
Aliyu denied the allegation of a foreign military camp in his territory.
The district head described the Niger Republic military leader’s allegation as baseless, stressing that his subjects at no time reported the existence of a foreign military camp in the area.
According to him, his people are engaged in agricultural and business activities, noting that if such a camp existed, his men would have informed him.
Another community leader, Malam Abdurahman Shehu, said the communities of Marake, Kudula, and Bikini, located about three to 35 kilometres from Niger Republic territory, had not sighted any military camps.
He noted that Balle and other communities maintained relations with Nigerien communities, and at no time had residents reported the existence of such a military camp.
A resident of Ruwa-Wuri community in Tangaza LGA, Malam Kabiru Muhammad, acknowledged the occasional presence of Lakurawa bandits but denied any reports of a foreign military camp in the area.
“We usually notice the presence of Lakurawa bandits; sometimes they trespass through our farms holding guns.
“They are often chased away by the Nigerian Army stationed in our area, but there is no foreign military camp terrorising our people,” he stated.
A commercial motorcyclist in Ruwa-Wuri, who identified himself simply as Ibrahim, corroborated the absence of a foreign military presence.
According to Ibrahim, who said he has been operating in the town for over five years, he has never sighted any French Army in the area.
The Seriki Arewa of Araba in Illela LGA, Garba Yusuf, dismissed the allegation, describing it as baseless.
He noted that it was a failed attempt to disrupt the peaceful coexistence between the communities.
Araba is a bustling community bordering Niger Republic.
The traditional ruler said, “In the area of security, Niger Republic military personnel assist our vigilantes in maintaining security within Araba and other border communities.
“We are living in peace with our neighbours in the Niger Republic. Our vigilantes maintain synergy with their military in sustaining the security of lives and property along the border.
“This collaboration has helped in keeping bandits away from our domain. When there is a working relationship to checkmate banditry between our vigilantes and the Niger Republic army, I wonder how someone in his right mind will allege that Nigeria is harbouring bandits for sinister motives.”
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has reassured the public that safety remains the overriding priority of Enugu Air following Thursday’s runway excursion involving one of the airline’s aircraft at Benin Airport.
Reacting to the incident for the first time in a statement personally signed on Friday, the governor expressed sympathy with the passengers and crew members on board the aircraft, while thanking God that no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded.
The Embraer E170 aircraft, operating as Flight 4264 from Lagos to Benin, experienced a runway excursion after landing at Benin Airport on Thursday.
Mbah said the state government was closely monitoring the situation and pledged full cooperation with aviation authorities investigating the incident.
“The Enugu State Government is aware of the incident of a runway excursion affecting Enugu Air, Embraer E170, Flight 4264, operating into Benin Airport from Lagos on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
“The government empathises with the 63 passengers and five crew members on board the aircraft over the traumatic experience and is thankful to God that no life was lost and no injuries have so far been reported,” the governor said.
He commended the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) for swiftly launching an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, assuring that Enugu Air would cooperate fully with investigators and relevant regulatory agencies.
“The government commends the swiftness of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) in embarking on the ongoing investigation to determine the circumstances and factors that may have led to the incident. The government will ensure the full cooperation of its going concern, Enugu Air, with the investigation and regulatory authorities,” Mbah stated.
While urging the public to await the outcome of the investigation, the governor maintained that the airline operates under stringent safety protocols that place passenger welfare above commercial interests.
“While the outcome of the investigation is awaited, the government assures the public that the operations of Enugu Air are guided by the highest safety standards. The airline is founded on a corporate culture that places safety above profit and schedule, and its quality assurance and quality control systems stipulate a safety threshold that is considerably higher than the industry benchmark,” he said.
Mbah said the airline’s uncompromising safety culture had contributed significantly to the growing confidence and patronage it had enjoyed since commencing operations.
“This accounts for the growing confidence and patronage the airline has continued to enjoy from both passengers and industry stakeholders. Enugu Air will therefore continue to serve its teeming customers and abide by its utmost commitment to safety, professionalism, and a sense of hospitality,” he added.
The governor also expressed appreciation to Nigerians for the widespread support and goodwill shown to the airline in the aftermath of the incident, noting that many passengers had continued to share positive experiences about flying with Enugu Air.
“We wish to express our profound gratitude to Nigerians for the outpouring of solidarity since the unfortunate incident. Quite uncommonly, Nigerians have continued to share their positive experiences with Enugu Air since it was launched a year ago. This matters so much to us as a government at this time,” Mbah said.
The runway excursion involving the state-owned carrier has drawn national attention. However, with all 63 passengers and five crew members safely evacuated, attention has now shifted to the outcome of the ongoing investigation by aviation authorities.
Amupitan gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalam Abubakar (retd.), at his residence in Minna, Niger State, on Friday.
The commission’s chairman led a delegation comprising National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, directors and his technical aides.
Amupitan described Abubakar as “the father of democracy in Nigeria”, noting that his transition to civilian rule in 1999 marked a defining moment in the country’s democratic history.
The INEC chairman said the commission regarded the former Head of State “not merely as a statesman but as a pillar of support for INEC.”
He also commended Abubakar’s role as Chairman of the National Peace Committee, describing its Peace Accord initiative as “a moralising influence on Nigeria’s political ecosystem.”
According to INEC, Amupitan said the initiative had provided political actors with a platform to commit to non-violence, thereby strengthening “the sovereignty of the will of the Nigerian people.”
The INEC chairman told Abubakar that, regardless of the pressures confronting the commission, it remained committed to ensuring that the will of Nigerians as expressed at the polls would prevail.
He said, “The Commission’s determination under my leadership was to see ordinary Nigerians go out and vote, confident that their votes would be duly counted and reflected in the outcome of elections,” describing this as “the core assurance INEC owed the electorate.”
Amupitan also formally confirmed the dates for the 2027 general elections.
According to INEC, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
Abubakar, in turn, called on Nigerians to support INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions—a landmark move to enhance the country’s security architecture and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
In a statement, Special Adviser to the President on (Information & Strategy) Bayo Onanuga says, “this approval underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further.”According to the statement, “the expansion builds on the Administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernisation.”Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate twelve divisions, strategically positioned across the country as follows:1. 1 Division Headquarters – Kaduna (Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States)2. 2 Division Headquarters – Ibadan (Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States)3. 3 Division Headquarters – Jos (Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States)4. 5 Division Headquarters – Makurdi (Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States)5. 6 Division Headquarters – Port Harcourt (Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States)6. 7 Division Headquarters – Maiduguri (Borno and Yobe States)7. 8 Division Headquarters – Sokoto (Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States)8. 9 Division Headquarters – Ilorin (Kwara and Niger States)9. 10 Division Headquarters – Jalingo (Taraba and Adamawa States)10. 81 Division Headquarters – Lagos (Lagos and Ogun States)11. 82 Division Headquarters – Enugu (Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States)12. 83 Division Headquarters – Benin City (Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States).The establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases.
The Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF) worldwide, a pan-Igbo socioeconomic pressure group, has urged the Federal Government to direct the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to supply Dangote Petroleum Refinery adequate crude.
The Chairman of NUF, Chief Augustine Chukwudum, made the call on Wednesday in Enugu while reacting to Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s move to start direct sales of refined Petroleum products in dollars.
It would be recalled that a top management official of the Dangote Group said that its refinery was receiving just four million barrels of crude oil monthly under the arrangement, instead of about 13 million barrels envisaged after President Bola Tinubu’s 2024 directive.
The refinery had attributed its decision to switch from naira-denominated fuel sales domestically to dollar transactions to the crude supply shortfall, saying it would also increase exports of refined petroleum products to earn foreign exchange.
Chukwudum called on the Federal Government to intervene urgently before things get out of hand and Nigerians suffer the more.
According to him, fuel price remains major determinant of prices of other commodities and services in the country as transport cost depends on.
“Things are bound to get worst if the Federal Government neglect to take immediate and decisive actions meant to better the life of the citizens.
“NUF is rasing this alarm because this administration is behaving as if they are not answerable to the people their are supposed to be serving.
“The Federal Government should direct NNPCL to supply all the crude oil needed by Dangote Refinery since the company has the capacity to meet local or domestic petroleum needs of the country.
“The government must stop all forms of fuel importation because that money been used for importation is a waste and put a pressure on our fragile foreign reserve as a nation,” he said.
The NUF boss noted that the refinery company must be allowed to pay in naira with this move, suffering of citizens would be curtailed.
Chukwudum also reiterated the call of the group for the Federal Government to set up judicial panel of inquiry to look into the account of NNPCL for some years now.
A commotion reportedly erupted at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State after some officials were accused of demanding ₦2,000 from applicants before processing voter registration and Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The allegation surfaced in a video circulating on social media, which showed what appeared to be a heated confrontation between applicants and officials at the electoral commission’s office.
According to a resident who narrated the incident in the video, some INEC officials allegedly insisted that applicants pay ₦2,000 before their voter registration or PVC processing could be completed.
The situation reportedly escalated when one of the applicants challenged the alleged demand, insisting that voter registration and PVC-related services are free and should not attract any payment.
The applicant was said to have confronted the officials and attempted to record the exchange with a mobile phone, triggering a heated argument that attracted other applicants and bystanders.
Although raised voices and a commotion could be heard in the footage, the circumstances surrounding the incident could not be independently verified.
The video has since sparked reactions on social media, with many Nigerians condemning the alleged extortion and calling on INEC to investigate the incident and sanction anyone found culpable.
INEC has consistently maintained that voter registration services are free of charge. These include fresh registration, collection of PVCs, transfer of voter information, correction of personal details, and replacement of lost or damaged PVCs.
The commission has also repeatedly urged members of the public to report any cases of extortion, bribery or illegal charges involving its permanent or ad hoc staff during voter registration and PVC distribution.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC had not issued an official statement specifically addressing the allegations involving its Onitsha South Local Government Area office.
The incident comes as the electoral commission continues its nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC has also introduced an online self-service platform to enable prospective voters and existing registrants to complete several registration-related processes conveniently, while reiterating that voter registration services remain free of charge.
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