Nigeria Denies Backing Failed Niger Coup, Warns Against False Claims

The Federal Government has denied allegations that Nigeria supported or endorsed the recent failed coup attempt in Niger Republic.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, said the government’s attention had been drawn to claims suggesting that the coup had the backing of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and, by implication, Nigeria.

Enikanolaiye described the allegations as false, baseless and mischievous, insisting that Nigeria remained committed to constitutional order and democratic governance across West Africa.

“Nigeria will never support illegality or unconstitutional change of government anywhere, no matter who is involved or which country is concerned,” he said.

The minister said Nigeria, as a close neighbour of Niger with longstanding historical and cultural ties, desired peace, security, democracy and development for the country and the wider Sahel region.

He said resolving political disagreements through force was contrary to Nigeria’s longstanding foreign policy objectives.

The denial followed the failed attempt by mutinous soldiers to seize power from Niger’s military leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani.

The soldiers reportedly abandoned frontline positions before attempting to take control of key strategic locations, including Air Base 101, Diori Hamani International Airport and the area around the presidential palace.

The coup attempt was reportedly foiled by Russian-backed Africa Corps and Niger’s elite presidential forces, with some of the mutinous soldiers killed or arrested.

Enikanolaiye urged Nigerians at home and abroad to disregard videos and narratives circulating online that portrayed Nigeria as supporting the attempted coup, warning that such claims were intended to create discord.

He reiterated Nigeria’s opposition to unconstitutional changes of government and its commitment to stability in West Africa.