President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate deployment of Nigerian military troops and air assets to the Republic of Benin to help protect its democratic government from a coup attempt.
Armed soldiers loyal to Colonel Pascal Tigri attempted to overthrow President Patrice Talon on Sunday, seizing the National Television station and claiming to have suspended democratic institutions. The move triggered swift international concern, with Benin formally requesting urgent assistance from Nigeria.
Responding to two separate communications from the Beninoise government, President Tinubu directed Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to secure Benin’s airspace and dislodge the coup plotters from strategic positions, including the national broadcast station and a military camp.
Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a Note Verbal, emphasized the urgency of the situation and requested air support “to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.”
A second request followed, seeking Nigerian ground forces “strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority in support of the protection of constitutional institutions and the containment of armed groups.”
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed compliance with the Presidential directive:
“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, President Tinubu.”
He confirmed that Nigerian troops are now on ground in Benin as part of a coordinated operation led by the host country.
The intervention helped loyal Beninoise forces regain control of the National TV station after hours of tension, restoring authority and pushing back the mutineers.
President Tinubu, who also chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for acting swiftly to defend democracy in the region.
The attempted coup marks a significant test of regional stability in West Africa, where several countries have recently experienced unconstitutional changes of government.
