The Defence Headquarters has refuted claims that the French navy was planning to ascertain a base in Nigeria.
A human rights activist, Mahdi Shehu, criticised the federal government on Saturday in a publish for denying the event.
In a video-accompanied publish, Shehu claimed that some French navy officers had arrived in Borno State as a part of the method to arrange the bottom.
The publish partly learn, “Final week, the Chief of Defence Workers denied any plan to ascertain French navy bases in Nigeria.
“Yesterday, the Chief of Military Workers acquired the primary contingent of French troopers and instantly deployed them to Maiduguri to ‘HELP NIGERIA IN FIGHTING BOKO HARAM.’ The identical Boko Haram they claimed to have decimated and are scampering for security.
“Earlier than the blinking of a watch, a FRANCE navy base can be bodily seen in Maiduguri, maybe earlier than the brand new 12 months, in order that they’ll ‘FIGHT’ Boko Haram and start to discover and prospect big mineral assets and absolutely start to take advantage of, harass, intimidate, kill, incapacitate, and annihilate the native folks, which is typical of France’s presence in Africa.”
Reacting in a press release on Monday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, dismissed the declare as pretend and mischievous.
He acknowledged, “The eye of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to on-line stories alleging the arrival of the primary contingent of French troopers in Maiduguri in direction of establishing a French navy base in North-East Nigeria.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria hereby state unequivocally that this info is pretend, completely false, and mischievous. It will be recalled that the Chief of Defence Workers, Normal Christopher Musa, lately addressed this matter in varied media boards, the place he debunked such information and speculations.
“Accordingly, most of the people is urged to ignore these claims and speculations which might be nonetheless circulating in some quarters. It’s clear that these are the antics of mischief makers.
“However, the navy will proceed to hold out its constitutional obligations most professionally and make sure the territorial integrity of our nation. Kindly disseminate, please.”