Niger Coup: Nigeria Draws Red Line Against Military Takeover

The Federal Government has rejected claims circulating on social media that Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) supported the recent failed coup attempt in Niger Republic.

Dismissing the reports, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, called the claims false and mischievous, stressing that Nigeria has never supported and will not support any military coup or unconstitutional change of government.

Enikanolaiye, in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja on Thursday, described the allegations as “baseless” and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and tarnish Nigeria’s image.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s position as a defender of constitutional order, democracy and stability in West Africa, the Sahel and the wider African continent.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the position of Nigeria was made clear in our official Press Statement No. MFA/PR/2026/220 of 30 August 2026,” the minister said.

According to him, the Federal Government had, in the statement, expressed deep concern over developments in Niger and urged a peaceful, inclusive and participatory return to stability and constitutional order in the neighbouring country.

“Nigeria views with deep concern any unconstitutional change of government,” he said.

Enikanolaiye stressed that Nigeria’s position aligned with its longstanding foreign policy, particularly its opposition to using force to resolve political differences.

He said Nigeria, as a sisterly neighbour of Niger with close historical, cultural and fraternal ties, desired peace, security, democracy and development for the country, the sub-region and the Sahel.

The minister acknowledged Nigeria’s commitment to ECOWAS but dismissed suggestions that the country endorsed or condoned the military takeover.

“While Nigeria is a proud and committed member of ECOWAS, it is unfair, mischievous and entirely false to suggest that Nigeria endorses or condones the military coup,” he said.

He urged Nigerians at home and abroad to disregard videos and narratives circulating online, describing them as attempts by some individuals to sow discord.

Enikanolaiye further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the African Union’s zero-tolerance policy towards unconstitutional changes of government.

He said Nigeria would continue to work with ECOWAS, the African Union and the international community to defend democracy, uphold the rule of law and promote peace and stability across the region.