Nigeria Condemns Burkina Faso Coup D'etat?, Demands Release of Prime Minister, Others

President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria unreservedlyon Friday condemned Wednesday's detention of the Interim President, the Prime Minister and other ministers of the transitional government of Burkina Faso in an apparent coup d'etat. A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina said Buhari and Nigeria aligned with ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations in rejecting the brazen contravention of the constitution and transitional charter of Burkina Faso by elements of the Presidential Guard under the leadership of General Gilbert Diendere. The statement said: "Buhari and Nigeria urge the Defense and Security Forces of Burkina Faso to keep faith with the agreed transitional programme for the return of the country to full democratic rule after elections, which were due to be held in the country on October 11, in support of which Nigeria has donated 20 pick-up vans to the National Electoral Commission of Burkina Faso." While welcoming the news that the Interim President, Mr. Michel Kafando has now been freed, Buhari and Nigeria also demand the immediate release of Prime Minister, Isaac Zida and other detained ministers.