The Nigerian Armed Forces say it has not received an order for a military invasion of the Niger Republic.
According to the Defence Headquarters in a statement on Tuesday, the use of force will be a last resort to restoring democracy in the country after soldiers overthrew President Mohammed Bazoum last week.
After a meeting earlier in the week, the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS mulled sending troops to the country to reinstate the deposed president and constitutional order.
The coup plotters led by Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani have warned that the use of force by the regional bloc to reinstate the deposed president will be resisted.
Burkina Faso and Mali military juntas have also warned the 15-member ECOWAS not to throw the region into war by sending soldiers to overthrow the new military regime in Niger.
Responding to the demand to use force, DHQ said it has not received an order to do so, saying military invasion is the last option if the situation in the country remains the same.
According to the statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Nigerian Armed Forces is not preparing to attack Niger, contrary to the suggestion that troops are currently being assembled for invasion.
The statement said, “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 take over 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.
“At the moment, 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 submit their plans to the committee of Heads of States and Government of ECOWAS for consideration.
“In conclusion, 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 States and Government.”
As the August 5 deadline set by ECOWAS for the coup plotters to return to barracks get closer, General Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, yesterday, called on his people to resist any invasion, reiterating that it will be a big mistake by any outside force to attack his country to force him out of power.
