Sokoto Airstrike Aftermath: Niger Republic Issues Decree To Defend Sovereignty

.citizens to report hostile foreign nationals, respond to call ups, requisition 

.as US resumes surveillance flights over Sambisa forest 

By Our Reporter 

Niger Republic, Nigeria’s northern neighbour, has promulgated a decree on mobilisation of its citizens, following Thursday night’s collaborative assault by Nigeria and the United States (US) on terrorists’ camps in Sokoto State. 

Report says that less than 24 hours after the air strikes, Niger’s Council of Ministers met in Niamey under the chairmanship of General Abdurahamane Tiani and adopted a draft ordinance, asking Nigeriens to be part of a general mobilisation in defence of the country. 

Tangaza Local Government area, in Sokoto State, which was the main target of the Tomahawk missile strikes lies on the border between Nigeria and Niger. 

Nigerian and US officials have said the operations against terrorists in the North are ongoing, while the US has already resumed intelligence and surveillance operations in Sambisa forest in Borno State following the Sokoto missile attacks. 

Under the Nigerien ordinance, citizens are required to respond immediately to call-ups, comply with requisitions, report hostile foreign nationals or obstructive activities, and refrain from communications that could undermine mobilisation efforts. 

The ordinance is grounded in the country’s "Charter of Refoundation" and existing national defence legislation, underscoring the need to protect territorial integrity, sovereignty, the population, and vital state interests amid what authorities describe as escalating threats. 

Recall that Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, all of which constitute the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), had last week formally launched a 5,000-strong joint military force known as the United Force of the AES (FU-AES) to check terrorism. 

Designed to conduct joint counterterrorism operations, enhance border security, and improve intelligence sharing, the joint military force marks a step toward collective defence among the three junta-led countries, which have distanced themselves from Western partners and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).