Tinubu imposes fresh sanctions on Niger junta, says military option ‘remains’

A new set of sanctions have been imposed on groups, organisations and individuals identified as giving support to the military junta in the Republic of Niger.

Ajuri Ngelale, the special adviser to President Bola Tnubu on media and publicity, revealed this on Tuesday in Abuja while briefing State House correspondents.

He said Mr Tinubu has already directed the acting governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to implement this directive in accordance with the ECOWAS protocol.

‘’I can report that following the expiration of the deadline of the ultimatum and standing on the pre-existing consensus position of financial sanctions meted out on the military junta, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an additional slew of financial sanctions.

“The sanctions are being carried out through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on entities and individuals related to, or involved with, the military junta in Niger Republic,’’ he said.

On the deadline given to the junta, Mr Ngelale decried the media reports linking the decision of the ECOWAS to the person of the president of Nigeria.

‘’Concerning the ultimatum given to the military Junta in Niger Public, the ECOWAS mandate and ultimatum is not a Nigerian ultimatum.

“The office of President Bola Tinubu, who is also serving as the chairman of ECOWAS, seeks to emphasise this point.

“It is because of this that Mr president has deemed it necessary to state unequivocally that the mandate and ultimatum issued ECOWAS is that of ECOWAS’ position,’’ he said.

Mr Ngelale said the president, following the expiration of the ultimatum given by ECOWAS, has widened consultations internationally, especially domestically.

He said the consultations include interfaces with state governors in Nigeria bordering the Niger Republic on the various fallouts and outcomes of the unfortunate situation in that country.

“President Tinubu wishes to emphasise that the response of ECOWAS to the military coup in Niger has been, and will remain, devoid of ethnic and religious sentiments and considerations.

“The regional bloc is made up of all sub-regional ethnic groups, religious groups, and all other forms of human diversity. And the response of ECOWAS, therefore, represents all of these groups, and not any of these groups individually,” Mr Ngelale said.

He said all options are still being considered as the extraordinary summit of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government holds on Thursday in Abuja.

(NAN)