Nigeria Urges Constitutional Order After Failed Niger Coup Attempt

Nigeria has urged a return to constitutional order in Niger after a failed coup attempt raised fresh concern over stability in the neighbouring country.

The Federal Government said it was monitoring the political and security situation in Niger and called on all parties to resolve the crisis through peaceful means. The response followed reports of a mutiny in Niamey, with gunfire and explosions around Diori Hamani International Airport, Air Base 101 and other strategic locations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Niger’s stability matters to Nigeria and to the wider Sahel. The statement came two days after NaijaTrend reported here on the first accounts of gunfire and explosions near a military base in the Nigerien capital.

Premium Times reported that the Nigerian government framed the failed takeover as a threat to constitutional rule in the region. It also said the mutineers attempted to break into the presidential palace before authorities brought the situation under control.

For Abuja, the concern is not distant. Nigeria shares a long border with Niger and has already had to manage security, trade and diplomatic tensions linked to military rule in the Sahel.

Source: Premium Times