The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has warned against military intervention in Niger Republic, in response to ECOWAS' decision to close borders and freeze assets belonging to the country's government and state-owned enterprises.

The ACF expressed concern that such actions could destabilize the region and negatively impact the lives of ordinary citizens.

ECOWAS, led by President Bola Tinubu, has issued a seven-day ultimatum for the Niger Republic military to restore democracy and release the ousted President, Mohamed Bazoum.

The Arewa Consultative Forum has expressed concern over ECOWAS' decision to impose sanctions on the Republic of Niger and warned against military intervention.

The ACF called for dialogue to resolve the crisis, and expressed concern that the use of force could have severe consequences for Nigeria.

The statement also noted that the Junta in Niger has cut off all ties with Nigeria and called the Tinubu government an enemy.

The ACF urged all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the issue peacefully.

The statement partly read:

“ACF, however, views with concern the unfolding events in Nigeria’s immediate neighbour, the Republic of Niger, and the potential impact on the region.

“The measures being contemplated should have taken into consideration the historical antecedents and mutual interests of the two countries and weighed the consequences of the use of military force.

“While the ACF recognises the ECOWAS position to bring pressure to bear on the perpetrators, nevertheless the military option shouldn’t be a prerequisite for Nigeria’s and the Community’s continuing efforts to enthrone democracy in the region in the 21st century."

“To this end, ACF notes that while it supports the position to restore democratic rule in Niger, it calls on the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government under the able Chairmanship of President Bola Tinubu, that it should toe the path of dialogue and diplomacy and certainly not force, in resolving the current impasse in Niger in the interest of peaceful coexistence with our brotherly neighbour and stability of the ECOWAS region,” it added.