The Niger coup leaders have previously warned against foreign attempts to extract President Bazoum, saying it would result in bloodshed and chaos.

The comments were made on Monday by Colonel Amadou Abdramane, one of the coup plotters, on state television. He said the authorisation was signed by Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou, acting as prime minister.

The whereabouts of Massoudou and Bazoum, who was detained by his presidential guards, including Omar Tchiani, who has been named head of state, remain unknown.

Massoudou could not be reached for comment. France, Niger’s former colonial ruler, has condemned the coup and urged Bazoum to be reinstated but has not announced any intention to intervene militarily.

The military, which seized power last week after blocking Bazoum inside his presidential palace, has previously warned against foreign attempts to extract Bazoum, saying it would result in bloodshed and chaos.

Abdramane’s comments also come a day after the 15-nation regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) demanded that Bazoum be reinstated within a week at an emergency summit in neighbouring Nigeria.

The bloc said it would take “all measures” to restore constitutional order otherwise.

“Such measures may include the use of force for this effect,” it said in a statement, adding that ECOWAS defence chiefs were to meet later on Sunday.

Chadian President Mahamt Idriss Deby visited Niamey on Sunday as an envoy from ECOWAS chairperson – Nigerian President Bola Tinubu – and posted photos of separate meetings with Tchiani and Bazoum.

Landlocked Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries, has had a turbulent political history since gaining independence in 1960. Before Wednesday, there had been four coups and numerous other attempts, including two previously against Bazoum.