Claims that Nigeria and other members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are involved in terrorism sponsorship have been denied.

ECOWAS denounced the accusations as baseless and stated its support for Nigeria’s peacekeeping efforts in a statement released on Thursday.

“The Commission firmly supports Nigeria and other ECOWAS member states against accusations that they are sponsoring terrorism,” the statement says.

Nigeria’s leadership in the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which has achieved great progress in fighting terrorism and advancing peace in West Africa, was praised by ECOWAS for its unwavering dedication to regional stability.

Nigeria was described by the regional organization as a “generous and magnanimous country” that has continuously promoted peace and security initiatives around the African continent as well as in the West African subregion.

The Commission urged all member nations to put communication first and refrain from leveling unfounded charges.

The incident comes as tensions between the Niger Republic and Nigeria are rising.

General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the military leader of Niger, has leveled fresh accusations against the Federal Government of Nigeria, saying that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working with France to destabilize the Niger Republic.

Tchiani said that Tinubu had accepted financial rewards from France for permitting French troops to station themselves in a certain region of Borno State.

The attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline on December 13, 2024, was allegedly carried out by the Lakurawa terrorist group with assistance from foreign security services, particularly Nigerian ones, according to the Nigerien government.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, has denied these allegations and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to amicable relations with Niger.