By Godwin James
It’s no longer news that the democratically-elected President of the Republic of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, has been ousted by the country’s power-hungry coupists.
What may, however, appear as a bang of news is the large size of wealth the lead coupists are holding in the country.
Checks by metrowatchonline.com reveal that the coup leader and the country’s current head of state, Maj-Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani is a multi-billionaire in FCFA.
Tchiani, a former commander of the presidential guard, sat on a ring that milked the country’s resources and in the process amassed stupendous wealth for himself.
A source told metrowatchonline.com that “General Tchiani built himself a hotel which value is around 600 million FCFA (about N760m) in Filingué.
Other coupists and top military leaders who also benefitted from the heist alog side Tchiani include General Mody and General Barmou.
“This money came from extra-billing and kickbacks, a part of which was paid to the Presidency and managed directly by the General Tchiani”, it was further gathered.
“From 2020 until early 2023 when he was relieved of his strategic appointment in Bazoum government, General Mody got 35 millions FCFA per week. Instead of using this money for the operations of the military staff, he hijacked a large part of it.
“General Mody is one of the most prominent corrupt personalities in Niger, who now wants to oppose a system which made his personal wealth. With this coup, he seeks to regain the enrichment position he has lost since he was ousted.
“General Mody, General Barmou, Inspector General Ebankawel Assahaba and the Lt-Col. Sidian criticize who were vociferous in their criticism of France, actually went behind to earnestly to seek the country’s visas to go there and have a good time.
“The coup plotters use the scarce financial resources available in Niger, particularly extorting the oil company SONIDEP and diverting customs taxes, in order to mobilize people in the streets and give the illusion of a popular support.
“General Mohamed Toumba is a perjury giant and a bad Muslim, he swore on the Quran of his loyalty to President Bazoum in exchange of his appointment as Deputy Chief of Army Staff.
“He is a traitor and he will betray Nigeriens and the “Consiel National de la Suvegarde de la Patrie” as he betrayed Bazoum,” the source added.
