A group of Soldiers in Niger have declared the takeover of power, and have detained their country President, Mohamed Bazoum.
The military announced the coup via a televised broadcast early Thursday morning.
Daily Trust report that during the broadcast, the 10 military officers while addressing President Bazoum directly, stated that their seizure of power was to end the regime due to the ” deteriorating security situation and bad governance.”
In the broadcast, the 10 officers led by Colonel Amadou Abdramane, said the National Council of the State Guard of the Nation had decided to ” put an end to the regime you are familiar with with”.
In their announcement, they declared dissolution of the constitution, suspension of all institutions, and closure of the country borders .
Despite significant condemnation of his detention, President Bazoum was ultimately deposed.
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria on Wednesday rejected the military attempts to seize power and dispatched a delegation to Niger, its northern neighbour.
Tinubu had previously warned that West African nations would no longer tolerate violent power seizures in the region.
President Bazoum took office on April 2, 2021, and successfully thwarted a coup attempt just two days before his inauguration on March 31, 2021.
This event marks Niger’s first successful coup since 2010.
The military had earlier cordoned off Bazoum’s office and residence.
Consequently, Bazoum was said to have been detained by the Presidential Guard after negotiations between him and the army broke down.
It was gathered that in the capital city, Niamey, crowds took to the streets in support of the detained president but we’re dispersed by gunshots