Niger Coup: Youths form vigilante groups, set check points ahead of military intervention

Youth in Niamey, the capital of Niger, have formed vigilante groups ahead of the potential military intervention by the neighboring nations to overthrow the new junta, Recall that the deadline for the junta to return the country to normalcy set by the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, passed on Sunday.

After being overthrown in a military coup by the new junta on July 26, the democratically elected President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, is still being held captive by the military.

According to a dpa reporter in the nation, vigilante groups have set up traffic checkpoints at a number of roundabouts overnight and have been seen inspecting vehicles.

According to reports, the Youth were said to be members of groups that organized rallies in the past in support of General Abdourahmane Tchiani, the former head bodyguard of Bazoum.

Late on Sunday, the Niger’s military leaders shut down the airspace, threatening to respond to any attempts to violate it with an “energetic and immediate response.

The military rulers also announced that the country’s airspace would be closed to all aircraft until further notice.

Last Sunday, the junta received an ultimatum from ECOWAS, a grouping of 15 West African nations.

Since then, the organization’s military leaders have developed a strategy for potential military intervention. (NAN).