In a huge blow to Ecowas, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are leaving to forge ahead with their own group.

The woman has lived in Niger for over two decades and is a fixture in her community, reports say.

Nigeria says Niger's accusations are "baseless" and "false".

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger will leave the Ecowas group in January but have six months to return.

The road could breathe new life into West Africa's regional bloc, Ecowas.

The move follows reports of a jihadist attack said to have killed 91 soldiers and 50 civilians.

France's nuclear giant has lost control of its uranium mining operations in the West African state.

Since the coup last year, the junta has been trying to reduce French influence in the country.