Well, it looks like the Nigerien masses don't really feel a need to defend Bazoum and the French - I guess after 13 years of the previous regime and nearly as many of French intervention, people are disappointed and willing to give the pro-Russian gang a chance. That's not likely to do them much good, but a Nigerian invasion would definitely be worse - the under - or unpaid Nigerian troops wouldn't just march into Niamey without pillaging on the way.