Posted by The Authority of Heads of State and Government must give its clearance before the Armed Forces of Nigeria can conduct any operations in any ECOWAS member state, according to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).
It was stated that using force would be a last resort in the crisis brought on by the Niger Republic coup that led to the overthrow of President Mohammed Bazoum.
The ECOWAS Heads of State and Government were looking into additional options, according to a statement released on Thursday and signed by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defense Information.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have been made aware of an online article that claims the AFN is preparing its forces for military action in the Republic of Niger.
The statement said, in part, “The AFN is yet to receive any order from the appropriate authority to commence military action, against the military junta in Niger.”
“Military option was the last resort in case all other options failed to reverse the situation and restore the Republic of Niger Government to constitutional order,” it was said.
The political unrest started on July 28 when General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the chief of the presidential guard of Niger, ousted Bazoum and proclaimed himself the country’s leader.
Under the new leadership of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ECOWAS has committed to take tough action against the coup plotters and has hit Niger with harsh penalties.
Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso, on the other hand, have now sided with the Niger military junta and issued an advisory against taking military action.