A JUNTA that seized power in a coup in the west African nation of Niger named a platoon commander as its leader, hours after soldiers announced on state TV their group was in charge of the uranium-rich country.

The soldiers who seized power in Niger named an army colonel as their leader today hours after announcing on state TV that they were in charge of the country.

Renegade soldiers in armoured vehicles stormed Niger’s presidential palace with a hail of gunfire in broad daylight, kidnapping the country’s strongman president then appearing on state television to declare a successful coup.