Residents and local media report that the victim is a 73-year-old who was taken in the city of Agadez.
Strained relations between Abuja and Niamey have disrupted joint military patrols and allowed the armed group to expand.
Indigenisation efforts led by leaders more concerned with self-preservation than national progress often spell disaster.
The Economic Community of West African States hopes to use this time to convince the three nations to stay in the bloc.
‘Strikes at heart of Putin’s war machine’ also target people involved in Ukraine war and Salisbury nerve agent attack.
![Russian conscripts called up for military service line up before their departure for garrisons in Bataysk in the Rostov region of Russia on October 20, 2024. The UK says its new sanctions will hamper Russia's military capabilities [Sergey Pivovarov/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-10-20T103042Z_854564270_RC27OAA65KA8_RTRMADP_3_UKRAINE-CRISIS-RUSSIA-CONSCRIPTS-1730982490.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Washington is now seeking a Plan B after troops were ejected from sprawling, expensive bases in Niger.
At least 10 coup attempts have been recorded in Central and West Africa since the August 2020 military takeover in Mali.
Women and girls fleeing armed groups in Mali claim sexual assault by Malian soldiers at border with Niger.
![A sign on the road near Gao in Northern Mali, reads 'Welcome to the Islamic state of Gao'. Communities have been fleeing the area due to violence from armed groups [File: Jerome Delay/AP]](/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AP23238229325627-1721895722.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
The order comes days after a Swedish government minister announced that aid to Mali would be ‘phased out’.
Ukraine seeks support from the Global South, but several West Africa states are ditching Western ties to turn to Russia.
While many Nigeriens have welcomed the military rulers, others question their rhetoric and approach towards governance.
The formation of Sahel alliance by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger overshadows ECOWAS summit, set to open in Abuja.
Move is latest sign the countries are moving away from traditional regional and Western allies following spate of coups.
Experts say ECOWAS’s tensions with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso could roll back years of regional diplomacy.
