Nigeria is preparing to join force with other West African countries to intercede militarily in Gambia, if President Yahya Jammeh (photo) does not relinquish power to the president-elect, Adama Barrow, according to a Nigerian military source on Tuesday.

“A decision has been taken that he will not remain president of Gambia at the expiration of his tenure,” the source told Reuters.

Nigeria has been said to have asked British military advisers to help in the planning of a military invasion in Gambia so as to install Adama Barrow as the country’s new president.

Gambia’s outgoing President Yahya Jammeh had lost the December 1, 2016 election to Adama Barrow, who is due to be sworn in on Thursday. Jammeh has sworn not to hand over power, claiming there were errors in the results and had opted to contest the outcome in court.

This had caused tensions in the country and has resulted in thousands of people fleeing the country amidst increasing signs that West African states could attack within days.

Anita Fatunji