The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has expressed worries over the degeneration of situation in troubled Niger that has resulted in several killings of Nigerien soldiers by armed groups.

The Commission in a statement on Wednesday reiterated the call for the return of reins of power in the West African country to democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum who was overthrown in a coup d’etat led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, insisting that this is the quickest option to return of peace and development.

The statement read: “ECOWAS has learnt with sadness various attacks by armed groups in the Republic of Niger that have led to the death of several Nigerien soldiers.

“ECOWAS condemns these attacks and conveys its deepest condolences to the people of Niger and the families of the soldiers who have lost their lives.

“ECOWAS calls on the CNSP-military leadership in Niger to restore constitutional order in order to focus on the security of the country that had become increasingly fragile since the attempted coup d’etat against the democratically elected President, H.E. Mohamed Bazoum.”