Defence Headquarters On Alert As French Troops Depart Niger

There is fear of spillover violence in Northern Nigeria following the withdrawal of French troops from Niger Republic after the military junta’s overthrow of the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum over two months ago.

Security experts say the development could weaken Niger’s defence architecture, making the neighbouring country vulnerable to terror attacks.

The secretary general, International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS) Dr. Abdullahi Mohammed Jabi, said the withdrawal could spell doom for the coupists who had refused diplomatic overtures.

“French troops’ withdrawal will pose a challenge to Niger in their fight against terror groups. That would have been their back-up, but now they are pulling out. The withdrawal will further weaken the strength of Niger Military and make them prone to attacks because some of the international community structures are being withdrawn”.

He said the development would make the country open for terrorist groups “like they are doing in Libya now. So if care is not taken, there would be no country like Niger in the nearest future because the coupist cannot hold the centre as there will be factionalisation and therefore the centre will not hold.

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“It is a healthy development for people wishing to restore democracy in the country

For us, we have to strengthen border surveillance and fortification. We must strengthen our border security in terms of personnel and equipment to forestall spillover effects to our boundary communities.”

The director of defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria was studying the developments in Niger Republic and would act accordingly to protect Nigeria and the continent.

“The defence headquarters is studying the development, the implication and the rest. So definitely if there is a need for us to act, we will. Of course, we cannot allow anything to happen to the continent. We’ll make sure that we do what the constitution empowers us to do, but at the moment, we are studying the development in Niger. There is no cause for alarm.”