No plans for French military base in north-east, says DHQ

The Defence Headquartres (DHQ) has dismissed reports alleging plans to site a French military base in the north-east.

Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, reacted in a statement on Monday.

In an X post on Saturday, Mahdi Shehu, a public affairs and political commentator, alleged that a French military base would soon be sited in the north-east after Femi Oluyede, chief of army staff, reportedly received French soldiers.

“Yesterday, the Chief of Army staff received the first contingent of French soldiers and immediately deployed them to Maiduguri to ‘HELP NIGERIA IN FIGHTING BOKO HARAM’,” the post reads.

“The same boko haram they claimed to have decimated and are scamping (sic) for safety.

“Before the blinking of an eye, a FRANCE military base will be physically seen in Maiduguri, perhaps before the new year so that they will ‘FIGHT’ boko haram and begin to explore and prospect on huge mineral resources and surely begin to exploit, harass, intimidate, kill, incapacitate, annihilate the local people, which is typical of France presence in Africa.

“Perhaps soon after the Maiduguri deployment, France military may be deployed to Sokoto/Zamfara/Kebbi/Katsina axis to ‘FIGHT’ insurgents and in the process, establish another military base, and like in Maiduguri, begin to explore, prospect freely all the abundant solid minerals resources in that location.

“Next is to deploy the France military to Kogi in the name ‘of FIGHTING ANSARU & PROTECTING SHIRORO POWER STATION’.

“Another military base will be put in place, and the real motive of solid minerals stealing will continue in earnest.”

‘FALSE AND MISCHIEVOUS’

Buba described the reports as the handiwork of mischief makers.

“The attention of Defence Headquarters has been drawn to online reports alleging the arrival of the first  contingent of French soldiers in Maiduguri towards establishing a French Military base in North East Nigeria,” he said. 

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria hereby states unequivocally that this information is fake, totally false and mischievous.

“It would be recalled that Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa CFR, recently addressed this matter in different media forums, in which he debunked the news and such speculations.

“Accordingly, the general public is urged to disregard these news and speculations still making rounds in some quarters. It is clear that these are the antics of mischief makers.

“Nevertheless, the military will continue to carry out its constitutional responsibilities, most professionally and ensure the territorial integrity of our nation.”