Hours after President Joe Biden hailed President Bola Tinubu’s strong resolve against the coup in Niger, the leaders of the military junta in the country have deployed troops along the border with Benin Republic as a way to preempt what they fear as a move to launch an invasion through Nigeria’s western neighbour.
The troop deployment was published on X, formerly Twitter by intelligence and security consultants , Zagazola Makama.
GWG.ng reports that Zagazola Makama posted a video of the troop deployment which came just after President Macron in an interview with journalists reiterated the determination to get the military junta out of power.
Leaders of the regional body, Economic Community of West African States had on August 10 sanctioned the deployment of the intervention force to restore democracy in Niger Republic.
GWG.ng reports that the move has, however, been opposed by internal dynamics within some of the countries, notably Nigeria which is expected to play a lead role in whatever intervention is done.
Hausa and Fulani stock in Nigeria who have relationships across the border in Niger have been particularly vehement in opposing a military invasion of the country, a development that is believed to have consigned President Tinubu to give further consideration to diplomacy to resolve the imbroglio.
There is, however, no confirmation as to the prospects of an invasion of Niger Rpublic to reverse the coup as suggested by the post made by the counter-insurgency experts, Zagazola Makama
Niger 🇳🇪 deploys Military to the Niger- Beninese Border amidst eminent Military intervention plans of ECOWAS. pic.twitter.com/So4QlwQze7
— Zagazola (@ZagazOlaMakama) September 11, 2023