Return over 300,000 Nigerian refugees in Niger, Shehu Sani tells Tinubu as he preps for war 

 

Former Kaduna Senator, Shehu Sani, has urged the President Bola Tinubu-led government to bring back Nigerian refugees camping in Niger.

His call comes just as the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions and issued a seven-day ultimatum to the current military leadership of Niger to return the country to civilian rule.

Reacting to the recent development, Shehu Sani urged the federal government to bring back the over 300,000 Nigerian refugees who fled to Niger as a result of the activities of Boko haram, ISWAP and bandits.

According to Mr Sani, the government must make plans to return Nigerian refugees to their original settlements in case the Nigerien government decides to expel them from

“There are an estimated 303,000 Nigerian refugees being hosted in Niger republic. These are people who were chased out by Boko Haram, Iswap and Bandits from Northern Nigeria. While sanctions are imposed on Niger Republic, Nigerian Government must be well prepared to receive back this refugees, in case the Niger Military Junta decides to expel them,” Sani wrote.

Members of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, on Sunday, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nigerien military to restore constitutional order and reinstate ousted President Muhammed Bazoum into office.

This followed an extraordinary meeting of leaders of ECOWAS member-states at the State House, Abuja, to discuss the happenings in Niger Republic.

While recognising Bazoum as the legitimate President of the landlocked state, the bloc also imposed land and border closures, suspending all commercial flights between Niger and ECOWAS member states.

Announcing the decision, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, said all Chiefs of Defense Staff of the member states will proceed for an emergency meeting to strategise on effective ways to implement a possible military operation to restore Bazoum to office.