The leaders of the Niger coup have shut down the Niger airspace until further notice, citing the possibility of military intervention.

According to the flight tracking website Flightradar24, there currently are no aircraft flying over Niger.

Ecowas, a group of West African nations, had previously threatened to use force if President Mohamed Bazoum was not restored by Sunday at 23:00 GMT.

Reading a statement on national television on Sunday, the representative from Niger's junta said they had information that "a foreign power" was preparing to attack Niger.

The leaders of the coup appear unwilling to surrender power, and thousands of supporters marched openly on Sunday at a stadium in Niger's capital, Niamey.

Burkina Faso and Mali, two of Niger's neighbors, have previously warned that any outside military action in Niger would be considered a "declaration of war" against them. Burkina Faso and Mali are both members of the Ecowas, but have been suspended from the organization since being ruled by military juntas.

Niger is a major producer of uranium, an essential fuel for nuclear power, and was a vital Western ally in the fight against Islamist extremists in West Africa's Sahel area under Mr Bazoum.