Despite the military coup in their country, Nigeriens supporting the junta have vowed to resist any external attack from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

They vowed on Monday at a protest to reject the interference of West African leaders and other foreign nations in the affairs of their country.

This came as pressure continued to mount from ECOWAS on the coupists to revert to the democratically elected government.

“If Ecowas forces decided to attack our country…(sic) they would have to walk over our dead bodies,” one of the protesters supporting the military takeover of power in Niger told CNN.

Another protester promised that Nigeriens would fight any intervention to kick out the military leaders from power.

He said the continued threats and sanctions from the West African leaders on Niger were backed by France.

“It’s France that is behind this ECOWAS that want to attack us,” one of the junta supporters said.

Air France already suspended flights to and from Niamey and other neighbouring countries after Niger announced the closure of its airspace.

Recall that Niger has been engulfed in political chaos since late last month when President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted in a coup d’état led by Abdourahmane Tchiani, a former head of the president’s security.

Following the development, West African defence chiefs issued an ultimatum for Niger to restore Mr Bazoum by Sunday or face further sanctions.

But the coup leaders ignored the deadline and immediately closed the country’s airspace until further notice, citing the increased threat of military intervention from the West African leaders.

On Sunday, Niger’s armed forces were said to have reinforced to the capital to prepare for a potential military intervention, after the military junta refused to abide by the regional bloc’s deadline to cede power.

At least a convoy of about 40 pickup trucks arrived, bringing troops from other parts of the country to both reassure a nervous public and prepare for potential battle.

Although, ECOWAS heads of state have announced that it would hold another extraordinary summit on Thursday to discuss the political crisis in Niger Republic.

President Bola Tinubu, in a statement, said the ECOWAS authority of heads of state would meet in Abuja, adding that discussion would “be considering and discussing the political situation and recent developments in Niger.”