The Armed Forces of Nigeria has stated categorically that it has not received any order from the appropriate authority to commence military action, against the Military Junta in Niger Republic.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria said it cannot proceed on any operation in any of the member states of ECOWAS without a mandate from the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
A statement issued by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General, Tukur Gusau said the attention of the Armed Forces of Nigeria was drawn to an online report stating that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) is assembling its forces for military action in the Republic of Niger.
#DHQUpdate #PressRelease #AFN
PRESS RELEASE: The Armed Forces Of Nigeria Yet To Receive Order For Military Intervention In Republic Of NigerRead Full Briefing here: https://t.co/OVxHx3wnTC pic.twitter.com/KI9ctYejOK
— DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA (@DefenceInfoNG) August 3, 2023
In a counter-statement, the Defence Headquarters pointed out that it is no longer news that some members of the Republic of Niger Armed Forces seized power from a democratically elected government through unconstitutional means. And 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.
The Nigerian military clarifies that the Military option was the last option to be taken in case every other option fails to reverse the situation and return the Government of the Republic of Niger to constitutional order.
Currently, the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff is holding an extraordinary meeting in Abuja to discuss the political situation in the Republic of Niger and submit their plans to the committee of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS for consideration.
