BREAKING: WAR looming as Niger Army blocks Nigerian soldiers access to Bosso

War looming as the neighbouring towns of Malam Fatori in Nigeria and Bosso in Niger, which were once connected by a friendly daily interaction between soldiers of the Nigerian Army and soldiers of Niger Republic in Bosso, are now experiencing heightened tension and hostility due to recent events.

News Direct reports that in the aftermath of ECOWAS sanctions and the declaration of potential military action, both countries find themselves in a delicate situation. As a result, Nigerian soldiers are facing an unfortunate setback as they have been denied access to Bosso town to source items for their daily lives and basic provisions.

This new development occurred a day after a delegation from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS had left the Republic of Niger without meeting the leader of the junta which seized power in a coup.

According to a delegation member on Friday, the team led by former Nigerian military ruler, Abdulsalami Abubakar could not spend the night in Niger as scheduled.

The ECOWAS delegation arrived in the capital Niamey on Thursday “but did not spend the night” as scheduled, nor meet with coup leader Abdourahamane Tiani or deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, the team member said.

The delegation was initially due to meet Tiani to present ECOWAS’s demands but met a brick wall before returning to Abuja.

Regional powerhouse Nigeria holds the rotating presidency of ECOWAS, which imposed sanctions and gave the military junta a week to restore Bazoum to power.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu however said the bloc would do its best to resolve the crisis amicably but ECOWAS said it could resort to military intervention as a last resort.

In a statement by the military read on National television late Thursday, Niger’s junta warned it would meet force with force.

The statement reads: “Any aggression or attempted aggression against the State of Niger will see an immediate and unannounced response from the Niger Defense and Security Forces on one of (the bloc’s) members.