By Oghenedoro Obrogor

The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed sadness over the pronouncement by the Military authority in the Republic of Niger indicating that the Republics of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have withdrawn membership of their countries from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, said Nigeria remained opened for engagement with the three countries.

On Sunday, the military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their immediate withdrawal from the West African bloc, ECOWAS, saying it has become a threat to member states.