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CNG frowns at threats to prosecute Bazoum, warns against international escalation
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has again reacted to developments around the Niger coup impasse, taking special concern for threats by the country’s military leaders to bring charges of high treason against the ousted president Mohamed Bazoum or kill him.
Reacting to the announcement by Niger’s military-appointed Prime Minister, CNG, in a statement by its Spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said it was ill-timed, ill-advised and condemnable, as well as a provocation and contradiction of the junta’s reported willingness to find a peaceful solution to the current crisis.
Similarly, the CNG warned against any form of international escalation of the conflict and urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to continue to play its big brother role in the region by insisting on the exploration of all available diplomatic windows for peace, and impressed the imperative of the Niger military allowing all options for negotiations open, without the need for unnecessary threats and grandstanding that in the president circumstance, have very little or no utility value.
“The CNG strongly repudiates the suggestion to try President Bazoum by the military authorities as well as every other move that potentially poses a threat to the the peaceful resolution of the crisis and leads to escalation of any form,” Suleiman said.
He said it is shocking that the military statement came just hours after a group of Nigerian respected Islamic scholars announced a meeting with Niger’s coup leader Abdourahamane Tchiani in Niamey and said the general had agreed to hold “direct talks” with ECOWAS.
“Any attempt by the military leadership in Niger to press charges against Bazoum will only likely increase tensions between the military in Niger and the international community,” Suleiman said.
CNG pointed out that a war and instability in Niger Republic would be counterproductive with the possibility of spiralling into long-term armed conflicts that will hurt countries of the sub-region with unintended political and socioeconomic consequences.
The CNG said while it does not dispute the fact that restoration of constitutional order in Niger Republic in the shortest possible time is welcomed, democracy can however only endure in the country when all parties to the prevailing crisis agree to reasonable terms in bringing about long-term peace.
“ECOWAS should therefore desist from creating the impression that genuine diplomacy can go along with threats of military action by way of activation of invading force against the regime in Niger.
“In handling this issue therefore, ECOWAS must take into consideration the interest of the civilian population of Niger, who by all indications and for whatever reasons, appear to support the military leaders.
“On their part, the military leaders must recognize the fact that they also owe a responsibility to the population and to the larger African continent and that in the fullness of time, their actions will not go unnoticed and they will be held accountable for any escalation resulting from their utterances and threats, ” Suleiman said.
Warning that Africa and Africans must not tolerate any further internationally-instigated armed conflict that aims to weaken the continent politically and pauperize it economically, CNG said only Africa can solve its problems its own way.
To international intruders we say, Africa is neither unmindful nor forgetful of their designs, but that will never affect our regional integrity and cohesion. Africa will remain resolute in protecting its legacy and inherited responsibility to all Africans,” Suleiman said.
Cautioning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government to resist the temptation of allowing Nigeria to lead or in anyway take part in any form of the use of force in Niger or any other West African or African nation, CNG warned that “whoever sets fire to his neighbour’s house, may risk burning his own house also.”
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday stated that troops of Operation Delta Safe have sustained their operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta, recording significant successes in their efforts to curb illicit activities in the region.
A statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, revealed that troops recovered a substantial quantity of stolen crude oil, illegally refined AGO, and PMS, totalling 392,174 litres, 138,757 litres, and 830 litres, respectively.
He stated that the troops also discovered and destroyed 29 crude oil cooking ovens, 31 dugout pits, 48 boats, 21 storage tanks, 18 drums, and 16 illegal refining sites.
Additionally, they recovered various items, including pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and four vehicles.
The operation, according to General Kangye, resulted in the arrest of 11 oil thieves and other criminals, with assorted arms and ammunition, as well as dynamites, also being recovered.
In related developments, troops conducted successful offensive operations, arresting six criminals, including a suspected kidnapping kingpin, and recovering a locally made pistol and live cartridges.
The Director also stressed that troops rescued two kidnapped hostages and recovered a vehicle during counter-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations in Ndokwa West LGA of Delta State.
These successes, he said, demonstrate the effectiveness of Operation Delta Safe in combating crude oil theft and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Udo Ka foiled planned kidnapping and terrorism attacks in Anambra, Imo, and Abia states, arresting several suspects and rescuing kidnapped victims.
According to Kangye, “On 20 and 21 March 2025, troops conducted offensive operations in Igbariam Local Government Area of Anambra State and Owerri Municipal Local Government Area of Imo State, resulting in the arrest of three suspected terrorists/kidnappers and the rescue of four attempted kidnapped victims.”
He stated that troops also recovered arms and ammunition, including several Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and live cartridges, as well as a vehicle and tricycle.
He said that troops arrested many extremists in Imo and Enugu states, recovering one pump-action gun, live cartridges, and some quantities of illicit drugs.
Additionally, troops rescued a kidnapped victim in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State, arresting the suspects and recovering a locally made pistol and a tricycle.
Also, troops of Operation Hadin Kai recorded significant successes against ISWAP/JAS terrorists in the North-east region.
Kangye said that between 21 and 26 March 2025, scores of terrorists, including adult males, females, and children, surrendered to troops following intense military operations.
He revealed that troops also conducted offensive operations in various locations, including Konduga, Gwoza, and Bama, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists, the apprehension of others, and the rescue of kidnapped hostages.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government released nearly 2,500 prisoners ahead of celebrations marking the end of Ramadan, the supreme court said on Saturday, in a country where the UN has warned of a growing prison population.
The exact number of prisoners held by various security bodies in Afghanistan is unclear, but a spokesman for the Office of Prison Administration (OPA) told AFP on Saturday between 11,000 and 12,000 convicted prisoners were in the authority’s custody.
Around the same number are in detention awaiting trial, sentencing or appeal, spokesman Mohamad Nasim Lalahand added.
The supreme court said on X that “2,463 prisoners who were eligible for amnesty were released, while 3,152 others received sentence reductions” as per a decree by the Taliban supreme leader.
The release of prisoners convicted of minor crimes is common practice ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, expected to start on Sunday or Monday.
Last year, Taliban authorities released around 2,800 prisoners ahead of the end of Ramadan, local media reported.
Last October, the United Nations mission to Afghanistan, UNAMA, said it was informed by the OPA that the prison population was growing, “with more detainees admitted daily than are released”.
UNAMA warned of high volumes of arrests and lengthy jail-time sentences putting “unsustainable pressure on prison facilities”.
Residents of Tsafe in Zamfara State have expressed gratitude to the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, following the successful elimination of the notorious bandit leader, Dan Isuhu.
The community hailed the development as a significant step towards restoring security in the region.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Engr Muhammad Hussaini, residents attributed the success to Dr Matawalle’s strategic directives, which have bolstered military operations against terrorist elements, including the notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji.
Dan Isuhu, known for orchestrating kidnappings, killings and other criminal activities, had terrorised communities across Tsafe, Funtua and Gusau for years.
He said ” His death is considered a major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity in Zamfara.
“Dr Matawalle has been instrumental in driving intensified military operations in the state, ensuring the dismantling of criminal networks and the liberation of affected communities from the grip of banditry.”
With Dan Isuhu eliminated, residents are optimistic that it is only a matter of time before Bello Turji, the most wanted terrorist in the region, is brought to justice. As military efforts continue, there is renewed hope that Zamfara will soon experience lasting peace after years of violent attacks.