A senior Nigerian government official has confirmed that former President Goodluck Jonathan is safe in Guinea-Bissau following the country’s recent military takeover.
The official, who spoke on Thursday on condition of anonymity, disclosed that arrangements are currently being made to facilitate Jonathan’s return to Nigeria.
According to the source, a multinational task force—including Nigerian security personnel—is already stationed in Guinea-Bissau to ensure the safety of Jonathan and other Nigerian officials present in the country.
“Nigeria is taking all necessary measures to guarantee their security and support their evacuation,” the source added.
The Federal Government had earlier condemned the coup in Guinea-Bissau and called for the swift restoration of constitutional order.
Jonathan is among several African leaders stranded in the country after the military seized power. He is one of 36 high-profile observers deployed under a joint mission of the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) to monitor Sunday’s presidential election.
On Wednesday, military officers in Guinea-Bissau announced that they had assumed “total control” of the nation, shutting its borders and suspending the electoral process three days after the general elections.
The takeover followed a political standoff in which incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and his main challenger, Fernando Dias, both declared themselves winners despite the electoral commission having yet to release official results.
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