Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, urged the general public to disregard reports that Nigeria’s ambassador was also expelled from Niger.
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Federal Government has discredited claims on social media that Nigeria’s ambassador to the Republic of Niger, Mohammed Usman, has been expelled from the country.
On July 26, 2023, a coup d’état occurred in Niger when the country’s presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum, and presidential guard commander-general, Abdourahamane Tchiani, proclaimed himself the leader of a new military junta, shortly after confirming the coup a success.
The coup plotters have since expelled several diplomats. Most recently, it expelled France’s ambassador but Paris countered that the junta has no right to order the ambassador out of the country.
However, the Nigerian government, in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, urged the general public to disregard reports that Nigeria’s ambassador was also expelled from Niger.
READ ALSO:
Tinubu tells US Envoy war not ideal for Nigeria’s economy
The statement read “The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to news making the rounds on social media that the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Niger, H. E. Mohammed Usman was on Friday, August 25, 2023 expelled and given 48 hours to leave the country.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public that this information is false and as such should be disregarded.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria warns against the circulation of unverified information capable of jeopardizing the ongoing mediation efforts by ECOWAS in the political impasse in Niger.”
