Nigeria has denied accusations from Niger's military leader, Brig Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, of colluding with France to destabilise the junta-led nation. In a Christmas Day interview, Gen Tchiani accused France of allying with militant groups in the Lake Chad region to undermine Niger's security, allegedly with Nigeria's knowledge.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has refuted claims by Niger Republic that Nigeria and some ECOWAS member states were colluding with France to sponsor terrorism against the country.

ECOWAS has finally opened up on the allegation that Nigeria was making an alliance with France to launch an attack on the Niger Republic through new terrorist group.

The Nigerian government has strongly dismissed allegations made by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the military leader of Niger Republic, accusing it of conspiring with France to destabilise Niger and its neighbours.