Nigerian Army Refutes Rumors Of French Military Base In Maiduguri

The Headquarters Theatre Command Joint Task Force North East, overseeing Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has refuted allegations circulating on social media regarding the establishment of a French military base in Maiduguri, Borno State.
These claims were initially made by social media activist Mahdi Shehu on his X (formerly Twitter) account, where he purported that a French military base had been set up in the region. Shehu’s post included a video featuring Brigadier General Abubakar Haruna, Acting General Officer Commanding the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army, alongside a foreign military figure, which he presented as evidence of the alleged base.
In response, Captain Reuben Kovangiya, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, issued a statement on Monday, emphatically denying the claims and asserting that there is no French military base in Maiduguri or any intentions to establish one in the North East. The video highlighted by Shehu was clarified to depict Brigadier General Haruna interacting with media personnel, with the foreign officer identified as a member of the British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT), not a representative of the French military.
This event was part of the equipment donation to OPHK by BMATT on October 25, 2024, at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri. Also Read: I have not Resigned – Vice President OSinbajo (VIDEO) The statement from the military further emphasized the longstanding partnership between the Nigerian Army and BMATT, which has been instrumental in providing training and equipment to counter the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the area.
Additionally, the Army criticized Shehu’s statements as unfounded, accusing him of intentionally spreading false information to manipulate public perception for personal gain. The military urged the public to disregard these inaccuracies and to rely on verified information.