FG: NIGERIA WILLING TO ENGAGE MALI, BURKINA FASO, NIGER

The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed sadness over the pronouncement by the Military authority in the Republic of Niger indicating that the Republics of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have withdrawn membership of their countries from the Economic Community of West African States.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, said Nigeria remained opened for engagement with the three countries.

On Sunday, the military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their immediate withdrawal from the West African bloc ECOWAS, saying it has become a threat to member states.

The leaders of the three Sahel nations issued a statement saying it was a sovereign decision to leave ECOWAS without delay.Struggling with jihadist violence and poverty, the regimes have had tense ties with ECOWAS since coups took place in Niger last July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed sadness over the pronouncement by the Military authority in the Republic of Niger indicating that the Republics of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have withdrawn membership of their countries from the Economic Community of West African States.

A retired Nigerian Army Commander, General Anthony Atolagbe has suggested that a special squad similar to the one recently launched by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in the Federal Capital Territory be established in the six geopolitical zones of the country to tackle rising insecurity.