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written in Published in policy.
Three WAPCO Nigerien agents, detained in Benin since June 5 and released earlier this week after being sentenced to suspended sentences, were welcomed as national heroes in Niamey, Thursday, June 20, 2024. The President of the National Committee for the Defense of the Fatherland and Head of State, Brigadier General Abdulrahman Tiyani, received them in the afternoon at the Cabinet, marking the country’s recognition of their dedication and service.
Prior to the official reception, the delegation was warmly received by Prime Minister Ali Mahamani Ramin Zaina at the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey. It was also attended by the Minister in Charge of Defence, Lieutenant General Salifou Modi, several members of the Government, the Governor of the Niamey Region, the Deputy Administrator of the City of Niamey, and a wide range of stakeholders from civil society.
After arriving at the airport and being received, the delegation went to the Presidential Palace, where they stressed the importance of this event and the importance of national unity towards the unjustly detained agents.
The agents were unjustly detained by the Benin authorities while travelling to Benin on an official mission. The five WAPCO Niger agents were arrested upon arrival in Benin to oversee the loading of a second vessel intended to export crude oil from Niger and were charged with illegal entry into the country. Two of them were quickly released, while the other three, including the DGA of WAPCO Niger, were detained for “theft of title and use of falsified computer data”.
“The warm welcome in Niamey is a testament to solidarity and national unity in the face of the injustices inflicted on these agents. Their return not only marks the end of a difficult ordeal, but also the beginning of a new era that recognizes and respects their commitment to serving the country. Niger recognizes them as heroes, reaffirms its unconditional support for its citizens and its commitment to defending their rights wherever they are.”
Boubé G. (Nigerian expatriate)
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