General Abdourahmane Tchiani, the leader of the Niger junta, has asserted that the military intervention in his country averted a looming crisis for Nigeria. This statement was made during a meeting between a Nigerian delegation of clerics and the junta in Niamey, Niger’s capital, on Saturday, as reported by Sheik Bala Lau, Chairman of Jam’atul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah.
Previously, Islamic scholars who had met with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja traveled to Niger, as detailed in the coverage by Daily Trust. Sheik Lau conveyed that Tchiani, during the meeting, explained that the coup was executed with positive intentions. Tchiani emphasized that their actions were aimed at thwarting an imminent threat that could have affected not only Niger Republic but also Nigeria.
Although Tchiani’s statement lacked specific details, it coincided with statements from Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, which suggested the instigation of military intervention in Nigeria. Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information, countered these claims, asserting that the military remained dedicated to its constitutional duties and rejected any notion of plotting a coup against President Bola Tinubu’s democratic administration.
Gusau criticized reports calling for military involvement in Nigeria’s democracy as unpatriotic and distracting. He emphasized that such reports aimed to divert the Armed Forces of Nigeria from fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities.
The delegation visiting Niger consisted of scholars representing various Islamic sects within Nigeria. Notable figures included Sheik Kabiru Gombe, Secretary of Jamatul Izalatul Bida Waikamatul Sunnah; Sheik Yakubu Musa Hassan Katsina, Director Daawah of JIBWIS; Sheik Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi, Representative of Sheik Ibrahim Bauchi; Dr Khalid Aliya, Secretary General of Jammatul Nasril Islam; Sheik Karibullah Nasiru Kabara, Leader of Khadriya group Nigeria; Sheik Ahmad Abdurahman; Professor Salisu Shehu, Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs; Sheik Nasiru Abdul Muhayuid, Director Admin of JIBWIS Jos; Professor Mansur Sokoto; and Alhaji Mele Kyari.