Military Campaign Against Niger’s Junta Would Lead To More Bandit Influx In Nigeria – National Missioner Abdurrahman Ahmad

National Missioner of Ansar-ud-Deen Society, Abdurrahman Ahmad, spearheaded a team of Islamic scholars from Nigeria to engage with Niger’s junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani.

This initiative aimed to peacefully address the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, 2023.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu at the helm, warned of military intervention should diplomatic avenues prove unsuccessful.

As a diplomatic move, Tinubu assembled a distinguished group of Nigerians, headed by former Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, to engage with the coup leaders in Niamey. However, upon their arrival, the junta leaders chose not to meet them.

In a recent television interview, Ahmad discussed his delegation’s visit to Niger, their discussions with the junta leader, and their observations.

Ahmad explained that the coup leaders declined the meeting with Abdulsalami’s delegation due to feeling aggrieved when Nigeria cut off Niger’s electricity supply without hearing their side.

“General Tchiani expressed that their actions stemmed from the frustration and sought forgiveness multiple times,” Ahmad mentioned.

Ahmad further emphasized that engaging in conflict with Niger isn’t beneficial for Nigeria, likening it to waging war against oneself.”

The Missioner added: “It will be an opportunity to strengthen insurgency, for bandits to have free reign and intensify their cross border attacks”. Excerpts of interview:

Some people believe that this should be a job for diplomats. Do you agree?
It is a very serious matter and Nigeria, in particular, cannot afford any war at this point in time.

We are already fighting so many wars that include socio-economic and political. We cannot add direct military war to that. As religious leaders, we are closer to the people.

Every day, we get calls of people who ask for financial assistance and can barely survive.

We are not in a conventional war and this is happening, what will now happen if we get ourselves drafted into a war that may, at the end of the day, be a proxy war?

So, we thought that beyond the pulpit, we should take up the challenge and we met the President to ask him for relief to intervene.