The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has said that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), is yet to receive any order from the appropriate authority to commence military offensive against the military Junta in the Republic of Niger.

The Defence Headquarters which stated this while reacting to an online report to the effect that the Nigerian armed forces was assembling its forces for military action in Republic of Niger, stressed that military action was the last option to be taken in case every other option fails to reverse the situation and return the Government of Republic of Niger to constitutional order.

These were contained in a statement on Wednesday by the Acting Director, Defence Information (DDI), Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said that the Armed Forces of Nigeria cannot proceed on any operation in any of the member states of ECOWAS without the mandate from the Authority of Heads of States and Government.

Some military officers in Niger Republic seized power from an elected government led by ousted President Mohamed Bazoum through un-constitutional means.

But, while reacting to what they considered to be “illegal takeover of government,” the ECOWAS Heads of Government met in Abuja during which they took far reaching decisions on how to intervene in the crisis.

Brigadier General Gusau; “At the moment, ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff is currently holding an extraordinary meeting in Abuja to discuss the political situation in Republic of Niger and submit their plans to the committee of Heads of States and Government of ECOWAS for consideration.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria cannot proceed on any operation in any of the member states of ECOWAS without the mandate from the Authority of Heads of States and Government,” he said.