The army has announced a military coup in the West African country of Niger. The country's president Mohammad Bazum has been arrested.
Niger's president has been removed from his post, a military contingent said on the country's state television on Wednesday (July 26).
Colonel Amadu Abdraman said in a prepared statement that the country's borders have been closed; a nationwide curfew has been imposed. Nine other officers surrounded him as he made his announcement on TV.
He said Niger's defense and security forces have taken action against President Mohamed Bazoum due to the deterioration of the security situation and the increase in misrule. He warned against foreign interference.
Mohammad Bazum and his family members are said to be detained in the presidential palace.
Earlier, Niger's president admitted on Wednesday morning that members of the presidential guard were apparently carrying out a coup attempt.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told Bazum over the phone of Washington's unwavering support for him.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he spoke with Niger's president and expressed the UN's full support for him.
Bazum was one of the allies of the West in fighting Islamic militancy in West Africa.