Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Armed Forces of Nigeria has debunked reports that it has received order from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State to forcefully remove military officers who overthrew the elected regime in Niger Republic.
The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen Tukur Gusau in a press release on Thursday said Military option 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 spokesman stated.
The DDI noted 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.
