NIGER COUP: MILITARY JUNTA CUTS TIES WITH NIGERIA AS TINUBU BEATS DRUM OF WAR

Niger Coup: Military Junta cuts ties with Nigeria as TInubu beats drum of war

The Niger military Government has cut off ties with Nigeria after the efforts of Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to resolve the diplomatic crisis between the two Countries failed.

ECOWAS headed by Nigerian president Bola TInubu had issued a seven-day ultimatum for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum to avoid possible clash with the junta.

President Tinubu had earlier sent a high-powered delegation to the country to meet with the coup leaders, on Thursday.

The delegation led by General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) only met with representatives of the junta.

Subsequently, Niger severed ties with Nigeria, Togo, France, its coloniser, and the United States.

“The functions of the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of the Republic of Niger” to France, Nigeria, Togo and the United States are terminated,” Radio France International quoted one of the putschists to have said on national television.

Meanwhile president Tinubu is seeking National Assembly approval for military action against Niger military Government

TInubu is seeking approval for military action and other sanctions against the military officers who have seized power in the Niger Republic.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, read the letter on the floor of the Upper Chamber on Friday.

The letter read, “Political situation in Niger.

“Following the unfortunate political situation in the Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of its President, ECOWAS under my leadership condemned the coup in its entirety and resolved to seek the return of the democratically elected govt. in a bid to restore peace, ECOWAS convened a meeting and came out with a communique.

“Closure and monitoring of all land borders with the Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling exercise.

”Cutting off Electricity supply to the Niger Republic

”Mobilizing international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communique

“Preventing the operation of commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic

“Blockade of goods in transit to Niger especially from Lagos and eastern seaports

“Embarking on sensitization of Nigerians and Nigerians on the imperative of these actions, particularly via social media

“Military build-up and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant”