Despite the warning issued on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Bola Tinubu, the Nigerien soldiers on Thursday morning took over power from President Mohamed Bazoum.
President Bazoum had been in detention since the early hours of Wednesday when the soldiers first attempted the coup.
BBC reports that the soldiers announced the coup in a televised broadcast on Wednesday night.
About 10 senior officers led by Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane said during the broadcast that the National Council of the State Guard of the Nation had decided to “put an end to the regime you are familiar with”.
According to them, the development followed deteriorating security situation in Niger as well as bad social and economic management by the government.
“We reaffirm our support to all commitment undertaken by Niger,” the soldiers said.
ECOWAS, had through a statement by its Chairman Tinubu condemned the earlier attempt, warning that the regional body, as well as the global community, would not condone disruption of constitutional order within the sub-region.
