Jammeh declares state of emergency as Nigeria warship heads to Gambia

Chidi Samuel

Outgoing Gabbian President Yahya Jammeh has declared a 90 -day statement of Emergency two days before the expected handover date. Meanwhile Nigeria’s newest warship, the NNS Unity, is heading towards the Gambia ahead what the BBC  said is a possible military intervention over President Jammeh’s refusal to accept the result of the last Presidential election held late last year.

The Nigerian military vessel is currently sailing off the coast of Ghana after sailing from lagos last week. The initial aim according to military sources is to put on a show of force rather than launch immediate attack. It is believed that Senegal is preparing ground troops ahead of Thursday’s deadline for Jammeh to quit office.

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ECOWAS, the regional body for West African Sub region, has earlier said that military intervention will be a last resort to bring an end to the crisis in the Gambia.