The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been cautioned by Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna, against military engagement in the Niger Republic.

The head of ECOWAS, President Bola Tinubu, declared that if the Niger coup leaders do not hand over power to ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, the bloc will resort to using force as a last resort.

ECOWAS announced last Thursday that it has started the activation of its standby force in Niger following a meeting of the bloc's defense heads in Accra, Ghana's capital city.

The group claimed that all aspects of any military involvement had been planned and were still being perfected, despite the fact that the defence chiefs had supported demands for discussion as a technique for mediating the conflict.

This covered the timeframe, resources required, and the best time, place, and place to use such force.

El-Rufai stated in a tweet on Tuesday that a conflict within the sub-region would be one between brothers.

"TUESDAY THOUGHT: As ECOWAS beats the drums of war, I recall the 1970s rock classic by Dire Straits - ‘Brothers in Arms’, because a war within our subregion is a war between brothers. Indeed, the people of Niger Republic are one and the same with those living in Northern Nigeria. Let us bend therefore over backwards to avoid this civil war between brothers.

And so for this bright Tuesday, please enjoy this classic and reflect on the equally timeless lyrics. Music is something to enjoy, but being so overwhelmed with public affairs in the last 10 years, I have lost valuable pleasurable moments. Time to catch up on lost time. Enjoy!! Life is too short not too!! - @ elrufai".

El-Rufai's request to refrain from military action in Niger is the most recent from northern Nigerian stakeholders.

The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) had additionally urged Tinubu to use every diplomatic tool at his disposal to end the impasse.