Igbos living in Niger Republic on Tuesday protested against President Bola Ahmed-led Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, planned military action against the junta that suspended democracy and took over government few days ago.
CAPITAL POST reports that a seven-day ultimatum handed down to the military junta to restore democracy elapsed on Sunday leading to heightened tension in the embattled Niger Republic, particularly in communities bordering Nigeria in the northern part.
The Niger coup plotters is led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, and had been asked to return power to President Mohammed Bazoom who has been in detention since he was toppled or face military action.
ECOWAS has however, slammed sanctions on Niger’s military junta and frozen assets of the country.
The electricity that connects Niger with Nigeria’s national grid has been cut off as part of decisions taken by ECOWAS against the country, even as the junta remains adamant after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum.
The junta have cut ties with Nigeria, France and some other countries while warning that any military action against them will amount to a full-blown war.
Reacting to the proposed military invasion, the Southeastern Nigerians popularly known as Igbo living in Niger called on Tinubu and ECOWAS to jettison the idea of military action against Niger military junta.
In a viral video, they have good relationship with their host country and therefore, don’t want any action that would affect their lives and livelihoods in Niger.
“We don’t want war in the Niger Republic. We are living in peace with the people here. We will do a demonstration round. We want peace,” some of them were heard speaking in Igbo in the video.
The Nigerian Senate has also rejected Tinubu’s proposal for military invasion in Niger and advised him and ECOWAS to explore diplomatic means to resolve the political issue.
