Nigeria, home to the ECOWAS secretariat, has received support from the subregional body following allegations made by Niger’s Transitional President, General Abdourahman Tiani. In a televised address, Tiani accused Nigeria of collaborating with France to destabilize Niger.

In a statement issued Thursday, ECOWAS dismissed the claims as baseless, emphasizing Nigeria’s pivotal role in combating insecurity through the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). The organization highlighted the MNJTF’s recent successes under Nigeria’s leadership as evidence of its commitment to regional stability.

Additionally, ECOWAS underscored Nigeria’s longstanding contributions to peace efforts not only in West Africa but across Africa. The bloc refuted any suggestion that Nigeria, known for its generosity and dedication to regional development, would sponsor terrorism.

The ECOWAS Commission called on all member states to prioritize dialogue and stability while avoiding unsubstantiated accusations. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yussuf Tuggar, had earlier categorically rejected Niger’s allegation