Rumors of French Military Base in Nigeria Debunked by PRNigeria Factcheck
In a recent social media stir, claims emerged suggesting that a French military base had been established in Nigeria, specifically aimed at combating Boko Haram insurgents at the request of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The allegations, propagated by social media activist Mahdi Shehu via his X (Twitter) account, have gained traction, amassing around 2,000 reposts and 300,000 views. Shehu’s post featured a video of a Nigerian Army officer alongside a foreign military personnel, which he used as purported evidence for the existence of the base.
Shehu’s assertion claims that France is deploying military forces in Nigeria under the guise of aid, positioning them in strategic locations such as Maiduguri, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kogi. He suggested that this development signals a shift in Nigeria’s sovereignty, casting the nation as a pawn exploited for its mineral wealth, facilitated by Tinubu’s supposed desperation for power and protection. The activist further criticized the Nigerian military for reportedly enabling this alleged foreign intervention, labeling it a betrayal of their patriotic duty.
However, a fact-check conducted by PRNigeria has debunked these claims. Utilizing facial recognition software, PRNigeria identified the foreign military personnel in Shehu’s video as Colonel Martin Leach, the Commander of the British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT) in Nigeria, rather than a representative of the French military. Colonel Leach has been actively involved in establishing close ties between the British military and Nigeria’s armed forces.
Evidence from various reports corroborates BMATT’s presence and involvement, indicating significant interactions between Colonel Leach and Nigerian military officials. For example, in October 2024, Colonel Leach oversaw the donation of critical military equipment by the United Kingdom aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s counter-terrorism capabilities in the North East, dispelling allegations of any French military activities.
In an official response, the Headquarters Theatre Command Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) affirmed that no French military base exists in Maiduguri, categorically denying Shehu’s claims. The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Reuben Kovangiya, clarified that the individual seen in the video was not French, but British, partaking in a routine event regarding military assistance.
Further confirming these findings, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, stressed that the personnel supporting Nigerian forces are trainers from the British Army and not combat troops.
In conclusion, PRNigeria’s investigation reveals that the assertion of a French military base in Nigeria, as claimed by Mahdi Shehu, is indeed false. The claims rely on misidentified military personnel, and as it stands, the British Military Advisory Training Team continues to work in Nigeria, providing invaluable training and support to enhance military operations against insurgents.
