The military president of Niger Republic, Abdourahamane Tchiani, has accused the Nigerian government of failing to act on intelligence reports on the activities of Lakurawa terrorists.
Mr Tchiani revealed that he once gave an intelligence report to the Nigerian government on the plans of the French government to establish some terror camps in Sokoto axis.
He, however, said the government compromised the report, which resulted in an upsurge of the activities of the group.
Mr Tchiani said this in an interview with Niger Television and shared by TRT TV.
“We arrested some top leaders of the Lakurawa terrorist group, and they shared with us a plot by the French government to set up a camp in a village called Gaba in Sokoto State.
“The agreement was signed on March 4, 2024. The agreement was between ISWAP and the French government.
“So the forest would serve as an operational base from the terrorists and would be carrying out their heinous activities in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi axis.
“The terrorists confirmed to us that Nigerian leaders are aware of this plot. Initially we thought he was just joking.
“And considering our relationship with Nigerians, there is no way we could see anything that is capable of harming the country and keep quiet.
“We informed the former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency Ahmed Rufai Abubakar and the office of the National Security Adviser.
“The NIA boss promised to send a delegation to gather first-hand information on the allegations.
“He indeed sent a delegation. They visited many places, such as prisons in Niamey, and they interacted with different terrorist groups.
“They [terrorists] confirmed to the delegation what the French government is plotting. Unfortunately, there was a compromise, and today you see the result,” Mr Tchiani added.
