LND Urges FG to Address Allegations of French Funding for Boko Haram
From Umar Dankano, Yola
The Federal Government has been urged to address allegations of French complicity in funding Boko Haram.
The League of Northern Democrats (LND) made this call in a press release issued Thursday by its spokesperson, Dr. Ladan Salihu. The LND expressed concern over allegations made by the President of Niger in a widely circulated Hausa video clip accusing France of funding and equipping Boko Haram.
The statement also alleged the involvement of prominent Nigerian officials, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General Ahmed Rufa’i, and National Security Advisor (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu.
The LND acknowledged the strained diplomatic relations between Niger and both France and Nigeria. However, it emphasized that allegations made by a sitting president with access to intelligence cannot be dismissed as mere political maneuvering.
“Considering the severe impact of the Boko Haram insurgency on Northern Nigeria, these claims demand a transparent and immediate response from the Nigerian government to uphold national security and restore public trust,” the statement read.
“Given the current close relationship between President Tinubu and France, including the signing of bilateral agreements, there are reasons to take these accusations seriously.”
“We respectfully call on the Federal Government, as well as Ahmed Rufa’i and Nuhu Ribadu, to provide the nation especially the North, which has borne the brunt of the insurgency with concrete and verifiable evidence either refuting or clarifying these allegations.”
“Their silence risks further eroding public confidence, particularly among northerners. The government must clearly articulate its position, ensuring that no Nigerian official is unfairly implicated in activities undermining our nation’s sovereignty and stability,” the statement concluded.
