Coup: Sheikh Bala Lau, Islamic delegation arrive Niger for negotiations
Respected Islamic scholar and national leader of the Jama’atu Izalatu Bidi’ah wa Ikamatus Sunnah, the largest Salafi movement in Nigeria, has arrived Niger Republic alongside other Nigerian Islamic scholars as part of diplomatic efforts to restore peace in the West African country, our correspondent confirmed on Saturday.
Lau is leading the delegation of Islamic Ulama following the approval granted to the clerics by President Bola Tinubu to intervene and negotiate with their counterparts in Niger Republic.
A source close to the Sheikh had said the team would arrive Niger on Saturday.
Pictures shared with our correspondent revealed that the clerics were received by officers of the Nigerien military on Saturday afternoon.
More details on the next steps to be taken by the clerics are yet to unfold.
President Tinubu on Wednesday met with leaders of various Islamic sects in the country who sought his approval to intervene and negotiate with their counterparts in Niger.
The clerics (Ulamas), who are opposed to war with the Nigerien military, as threatened by ECOWAS, said apart from the dire consequences of armed conflict, they are enjoined by their religious faith and the Quran to seek mediation first in cases like this before resorting to war.
Sheikh Lau of Izalla group and Sheikh Abdurahman Ahmad of Ansar ud Deen, flanked by leaders of other sects, addressed journalists after their meeting with President Tinubu.
