By Emmanuel Nduka
The Nigerian Armed Forces has debunked reports that it has received order from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State led by its Commander, President Bola Tinubu, to forcefully remove military officers who overthrew the elected regime in Niger Republic.
This was disclosed on Thursday in a press release by Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen Tukur Gusau.
He said a full military invasion was the last option to be taken in case every other option fails to reverse the situation.
“The attention of the Armed Forces of Nigeria has been drawn to an online report stating that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) is assembling its forces for military action in Republic of Niger.
“The AFN is yet to receive any order from the appropriate authority to commence military action, against the Military Junta in Niger. It’s no longer news that some members of the Republic of Niger Armed Forces seized power from a democratically elected government through un-constitutional means. In reaction to this illegal takeover of government the ECOWAS Heads of Government met and a series of options were reached on how to intervene in the crisis.
“Military option was the last option to be taken in case every other option fails to reverse the situation and return the Government of Republic of Niger to constitutional order,” the DHQ stated.
The statement added that ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff is currently holding an extraordinary meeting in Abuja to discuss the political situation in Republic of Niger and will submit their plans to the committee of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS for consideration.
He stressed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria cannot proceed on any operation in any of the member-states of ECOWAS without the mandate from the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
Heritage Times HT recalls that President Tinubu had recently at an extraordinary ECOWAS Summit in Abuja, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the military junta in Niger to revert to the status quo or risk dire consequences, including a possible military action and economic sanctions.
