Military group in Niger claim to have overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum in attempted coup

INA-  sources 

A group of soldiers in Niger have claimed to have put an end to the government, hours after detaining President Mohamed Bazoum in the presidential palace. 
Appearing on national television in the West African nation, air force colonel, Amadou Abdramane, and nine other uniformed officers said defence and security forces had decided to "put an end to the regime".
He cited a "deteriorating security situation and bad governance" as the reason for the attempted coup.
They urged against any foreign intervention and said all institutions had been suspended, borders had been closed, and a nationwide curfew put in place.
It comes a day after members of Niger'spresidential guard surrounded the palace and detained President Bazoum.

The situation has been condemned by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited Niger in March in an attempt to strengthen ties with the country.
He said he strongly supported the "democratically elected president" and that he was in close contact with officials in Africa and France.
Mr Bazoum was elected two years ago in the nation's first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since its independence from France in 1960. He remains a key ally in efforts from the West to stabilise Africa's Sahel region, which has been plagued by coups in recent years.

source: Sky News