The Federal Government has been advised to cautiously approach a reported overture by the United States and France to relocate their military bases in the Sahel areas, especially the Niger Republic to Nigeria.
Some Northern leaders, in an open letter to President BolaTinubu and the National Assembly, raised concerns over the implications of Nigeria welcoming the move.
They had raised fears that aside from the security implications, there were economic, environmental and financial losses and burdens that Nigeria would ultimately bear in acquiescing to such requests.
But, a retired Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Mike Ejiofor, had advised the Nigerian government to approach the matter with caution.
Ejiofor, who spoke with Tribune Online, explained why the government must first study the situation by weighing all the options to see how such military bases would be against the interest of Nigeria or help in resolving the ongoing fight against terrorism.
He stated, “If Nigeria allows them to establish their bases here, what are our benefits? Do we stand to benefit anything from them or it will be the extension of their colonial interests by getting more strongholds in this (West African sub-region)?
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“Yes, the fears (of the northern leaders) are there, but again, we have a lot of challenges here. If the US, for example, reaches an agreement with the Federal Government on how to establish the bases, maybe to assist us technologically or other forms of assistance that will help contain the spread of terrorism and similar tendencies. But, if it is solely for their own interests or to further have a hold on the region, I will not support it.
“The fears are there, but we must also have to study the situation, not forgetting that the fight against terrorism is a global one that can’t be fought in isolation. So, if there is any way we can collaborate with the US to assist us, I don’t have a problem with that.
“While their fears are founded, let the government first study the situation, look at the pros and cons to know how Nigeria stands to benefit before considering such a proposal,” he added.
However, a member of the Senate, Sen. Steve Karimi, introduced a new angle to the issue, pointing out that the recent increasing presence of Russia in Mali, Burkina Faso and other areas in the Sahel was a threat to the sub-region, particularly Nigeria.
Karimi, who represents the Kogi-West Senatorial District, observed that a number of the countries in the region were ruled by the military or had their governments installed by soldiers.
“We must watch out because, at the end of the day, these Russian forces have other motives. If they are backing military governments, that is not in the interest of democratic country like Nigeria”, he said.
Karimi noted that it would serve the interest of Nigeria to support the establishment of US and France military bases in Nigeria to serve as counter-forces to any move that might be a threat to Nigeria’s Democratic interests.
“I will suggest that such bases should be set up in the North-Central, possibly Benue or Plateau State.
“They will help to support the fight against some of the security threats the country is facing, caused largely by elements from these Sahel areas”, he added.
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