Nigerian President General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has accused France, the European Union and Western countries of funding armed groups in the Sahel, alleging that Paris "financed" and "directed" the 18 June attack on Niamey's international airport.

“It is France that financed the assault against the airport, first on the night of January 28 to 29. Then the one on June 18, when they received orders to burn down completely the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey. Those who came to the airport are puppets."

Tchiani alleged the attackers were ordered to strike three targets simultaneously: the international airport, the presidential palace and an intelligence training center.

"France wanted by every means to show that as long as they were in our country, we would be safe. But as long as they were not in our country, we would instead be in permanent insecurity. This appearance of insecurity is precisely intended to show Africans that the French lord, the French god, is the only one capable of protecting them."

Tchiani also accused France and its Western allies of waging what he described as a campaign of 'neocolonisation' across the Sahel.

France has repeatedly denied supporting armed groups or interfering in Niger's affairs.