Niger: Lone Protester Storms Kano  Streets, Says Military Action Not Viable

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

A 23-year-old secondary school student, Adam Usman, has taken to streets of Kano in Kano State to protest against a move by the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) for military action on Niger Republic.

Usman, who trekked about 15 kilometers, carrying a placard with an inscription: ‘I’m against any war in Niger Republic, dialogue is the best option, War will hurt both Nigerians and Niger citizens’, was sighted along Maiduguri road, Zaria road, Marhaba, Tarauni, Nassarawa, and Government House, but denied entry by the security operatives manning the gate.

The protestant, who wore new attire made with Nigerian and Nigerien flags, which he said signifies brotherhood, explained that waging a war against Niger Republic is like waging a war on Nigerian soil.

According to him, “What I am doing today is for the good of the two nations, who share many things in common. As a citizen, I see nothing good in waging war against a sister country no matter what. Peace and dialogue is the best solution in a democratic culture. However, I do not support the coup d’état in Niger Republic, it is sad, most unfortunate in its entirety, I condemn it like any peace-loving person and other democratic minds.

“I want to say that the good people of Niger Republic have more right to fight for the restoration of democracy in their own country rather than the regional or international intervention by ECOWAS, AU or EU.”