Deposed Nigerien President’s Wife, Son Released from House Arrest

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has commended the release of former Nigerien President Mohammad Bazoum’s wife and son from house arrest.

The Nigerien President and members of his family were committed to house by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, the ruling military junta in Niger after he was overthrown sometimes last year.

After months of being held in house arrest, the wife and the son were released, according to a statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.

Tuggar, who is also the Chairperson of the Mediation and Security Council of ECOWAS, said “it is a logical step in bringing normalcy back to the country and the region in general.”

He reiterated the call to the government led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani to hasten the release of Mohammed Bazoum from its custody and allow him to fly to a third country as a step towards further talks on lifting sanctions and to initiate the transition to constitutional rule in the interest of the people, peace and stability of Niger and the region.