Residents in border towns between Nigeria and Niger are growing increasingly worried as tensions escalate between the two countries. The trouble started after Niger’s military leader, Brigadier General Abdourahmane Tchiani, made serious accusations against Nigeria. In an interview on Christmas Day, Tchiani claimed that Nigeria had teamed up with France to destabilize Niger, accusing Nigeria of hosting French troops and establishing terrorist training camps in several Nigerian states.
The Nigerian government has strongly denied these claims. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu called the accusations “baseless” and “false,” while Information Minister Mohammed Idris said they were a distraction from the real issues in Niger.
However, the disagreement is causing concern among the people who live in towns near the border. These residents are worried that the rising tensions could disrupt the peace they’ve lived in for years. Many locals, like Magaji Muhammad Illiyasu from Balle in Sokoto State, say they have never seen French or Nigerien soldiers in their area. Illiyasu, who has been a leader in his community for over 30 years, is calling for both countries to find a peaceful solution to the dispute.
Muhammad Altine, a Nigerien cattle seller who has been working in Nigeria for over 20 years, also dismisses the claims. He believes that, if French troops were truly present, he would have noticed them by now. He calls for calm, saying the allegations are untrue and unnecessary.
Other residents, like Hassan Tabani from a village in Sokoto, recall the difficulties faced when Nigeria closed its borders with Niger due to the coup that ousted Niger’s democratically elected president. The border closure led to severe disruptions in trade, leaving many families struggling to survive. Tabani is hoping for a quick resolution to avoid similar economic problems in the future.
Dr. Murtala Ahmed Rufai, a professor at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, also expressed his disbelief at the accusations. He pointed out the long-standing relationship between the people of Nigeria and Niger and believes that Nigeria, as a democratic nation, would never support the establishment of terrorist training camps.
In Borno State, residents of border towns such as Garere and Gudumbali are concerned that the political tension between the two countries might affect their friendly relationships with their Nigerien neighbors. Many locals, including Yahaya Kida from Garere, said they are unaware of the political claims and continue their daily lives as usual, hoping that both governments will settle their differences peacefully.
In Katsina, community leaders in Jibia, a town with a large population of Nigerien nationals, also rejected Tchiani’s accusations, believing they were politically motivated. The residents in Jibia have been living peacefully with their Nigerien neighbors for many years, and they hope the dispute will not affect their daily interactions.
Overall, people living along the Nigeria-Niger border are asking for both governments to resolve the situation quickly. They are concerned that if tensions continue to rise, it could harm the peaceful way of life that many of them have enjoyed for years. As the dispute continues, these communities hope that calm heads will prevail, ensuring that both countries can work together to find a solution that benefits everyone.
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