The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against using military intervention in resolving the crisis in Niger.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had given Niger a week from Sunday to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum or face harder sanctions.
Suleiman Kawu, the spokesperson of the forum, who spoke in Abuja on Friday, warned that deploying Nigerian troops to the Niger Republic will hurt seven northern states —Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno —sharing borders with the country.
The northern senators urged the president to be focused on political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in the Niger Republic
“The emphasis, however, should be on political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in the Niger Republic.
“We also take exception to the use of military force until other avenues, as mentioned above, are exhausted, as the consequences will be casualties among the innocent citizens who do their daily business. Besides, about seven northern states with a border with the Niger Republic will be negatively affected, namely Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno”.
Last month, a military junta toppled Niger’s democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum.
Tension continues to mount in the West African region.
