Yusuf Tuggar, Foreign affairs minister lauds release of ex-Niger president’s wife, son

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, on Tuesday, applauded the release of the wife, Khadija Bazoum, and son, Salem Bazoum of the former President of Niger Republic, Mohammad Bazoum, from house arrest.

The PUNCH reports that since he was toppled by the military on July 26, 2023, Bazoum has been held at his residence in the heart of the presidential palace alongside his wife and son.

However, his son, Salem, has been released, the country’s military tribunal announced.

The 22-year-old was arrested and detained alongside his parents by putschists who overthrew his father in a coup in July 2023.

It did not say anything about the fate of the president.

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

The minister, according to a statement by his media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, also reiterated the call to the government led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani to hasten the release of Mohammed Bazoum from its custody.

The statement read “Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf  Tuggar, has commended the release of former President Mohammad Bazoum’s wife and son from house arrest by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, the ruling military junta in Niger.

“Tuggar, who is also the Chairperson of the Mediation and Security Council, 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.”