Defence HQ Denies French Military Base in Borno

The Defence Headquarters has denied allegations that the French military plans to establish a base in Nigeria. The denial follows claims made by human rights activist Mahdi Shehu, who accused the Nigerian government of attempting to cover up the development.

In a video shared on social media, Shehu claimed that French military officers had arrived in Borno State as part of efforts to set up a base in the region. He pointed out that the Chief of Defence Staff had previously refuted the reports, but according to Shehu, French soldiers were deployed to Maiduguri to assist in the fight against Boko Haram.

Shehu’s post further alleged, “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.’” He went on to criticize the French military presence, suggesting that the French forces were not only involved in counterterrorism efforts but also had ulterior motives linked to mineral resources in the region.

Shehu warned that the establishment of a French military base in Maiduguri could lead to exploitation and violence against the local population, reflecting a pattern of France’s involvement in Africa, as he put it.

The Defence Headquarters has not yet issued a formal statement on the arrival of the French soldiers but has insisted that there are no plans to establish a French military base in Nigeria.