President Bola Tinubu has applauded the Nigerian Armed Forces for their swift and decisive intervention in the Benin Republic following an attempted military coup in the neighbouring West African country.
The commendation came after loyalist forces in Benin with support from Nigerian troops and air assets regained control of the national television station, which had earlier been seized by soldiers claiming to have overthrown President Patrice Talon on Sunday.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Beninese government formally requested Nigeria’s military assistance in two separate correspondences after coup plotters led by Col. Pascal Tigri announced the suspension of democratic institutions.
Acting on the request, President Tinubu ordered the deployment of Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to secure Benin’s airspace and support operations to dislodge the mutineers from key locations, including the national broadcaster and a military camp. Benin also requested Nigerian surveillance aircraft and ground troops “strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command Authority to protect constitutional institutions and contain armed groups.”
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that the directives were executed fully, and Nigerian troops were already on the ground in Benin. “Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief,” he said.
Tinubu, who is also Chairman of ECOWAS, stated that Nigeria’s intervention aligns with the bloc’s Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which obligates member states to defend constitutional rule in the region.
“Today, the Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as defenders and protectors of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin, on the invitation of the government,” Tinubu said. “They helped stabilise a neighbouring country and made us proud of their commitment to our democratic values since 1999. Nigeria stands firmly with the government and the people of Benin Republic.”
Benin’s government has since confirmed that the coup attempt has been suppressed and normalcy restored.
