… as northern Senators warn Tinubu against military intervention
Abuja—Bashir, a son of former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai has claimed that the Nigerian military are capable of capturing the capital of Niger Republic, Niamey in 13 hours.
Quoting a video shared by a Twitter user praising the army of Niger Republic, El-Rufai said he doesn’t pray for war but hopes the Nigerian military would showcase their might and capture Niger in less than 13 hours.
“Look at the soldiers Tinubu want to go and fight with Nigerian soldiers,” the Twitter user with the handle @chimaobi_nteoma said.
El-Rufai reacted: “God forbid war but only because of stupid videos like this do I hope the Nigerian Military showcase their might in Niger & capture Niamey in 13 hours.”
It was reported that the military junta in the Niger Republic severed ties with Nigeria after the efforts of the Economic Community of West Africa States, ECOWAS, to reinstate the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum failed.
Consequently, Nigeria’s president and the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, Bola Tinubu wrote to the Senate seeking its support for military intervention against the military junta in the Niger Republic.
Meanwhile, northern Senators in the 10th National Assembly have cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against using military intervention in resolving the crisis in Niger, according to the Daily Post.
Sen. Suleiman Sumaila, the spokesperson for Northern Senators Forum, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
The group of Senators urged the President to adopt political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in Niger.
According to NSF, military intervention in Niger would affect Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno.
“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”.
