Deploying soldiers in Niger will hurt Sokoto, Katsina, 5 others –Senators

The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has asked President Bola Tinubu to exhaust all diplomatic means in resolving the crisis in Niger Republic.

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 Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had given Niger a week from Sunday to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum or face harder sanctions.

The northern senators urged the president to be focused on political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in the Niger Republic

“The forum under the leadership of senator Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi), has noted with concern and condemned in entirety the unfortunate development in Niger Republic, where the military forcefully upstaged a democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum,” NAN quoted Kawu as saying.

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“The northern senators also take cognisance of the efforts of the ECOWAS leaders under the chairmanship of our dear President Bola Tinubu, in resolving the situation in Niger Republic.

“The emphasis, however, is that we should be focused on political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in the Niger Republic.

“We also take exception to the use of the military force until other avenues as mentioned above are exhausted as the consequences will be casualties among the innocent citizens who go about their daily business.

“Besides, about seven northern states who share a border with the Niger Republic namely Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno will be negatively affected.

“We are also aware of the situation in Mali, Burkina Faso and Libya, which may affect the seven northern states if military force is used.

“As democrats and representatives of the people, we hereby urge our colleagues to observe due diligence in invoking section 5 sub-section (4) (a) and (b) of the constitution.”