No Foreign Bases: Nuhu Ribadu Clarifies Nigeria’s Military Sovereignty
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has firmly stated that Nigeria does not host any foreign military bases and has consistently rejected such proposals.
This clarification comes in response to allegations from Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, who accused Nigeria of collaborating with France to destabilize Niger.
Ribadu emphasized that Nigeria’s relationships with countries like France are strictly economic, not military. He noted that even former colonial powers, such as the United Kingdom, and other nations, including the United States, have been denied permission to establish military bases in Nigeria.
Addressing the allegations, Ribadu stated, “Nigeria has no history of hosting foreign military bases… We have consistently resisted such attempts, including from the United States.”
He urged Niger’s leadership to address their grievances directly with France without involving Nigeria, highlighting the importance of regional unity and cooperation in combating shared security challenges like terrorism and banditry.
Ribadu’s statements underscore Nigeria’s longstanding policy of maintaining sovereignty over its military affairs and avoiding foreign military entanglements on its soil.
He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful coexistence with its neighbors and the necessity for collaborative efforts to ensure regional stability.