President Bola Tinubu on Sunday commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their swift and decisive intervention in Benin Republic following an attempted military coup in the neighbouring country. The coup plotters, led by Col. Pascal Tigri, had seized control of the national television station early Sunday and announced the suspension of democratic institutions, claiming to have toppled President Patrice Talon.
In response to formal requests from the Government of Benin communicated twice, President Tinubu directed the Nigerian military to assist. According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Nigerian Air Force was ordered to take control of Benin’s airspace and support efforts to dislodge the mutineers from key locations, including the national broadcaster and a military camp.
Benin also requested the deployment of Nigerian surveillance aircraft and ground forces, expressly for missions approved by the Beninese Command to protect constitutional institutions and contain armed groups. Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests had been executed and Nigerian troops were already on the ground in Benin, abiding by the orders of President Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
As chair of ECOWAS, President Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria’s intervention was consistent with the regional bloc’s Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance: “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. They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and made us proud of their unwavering commitment to democratic values and ideals upheld since 1999.”
The Beninese government later announced that the coup attempt had been successfully suppressed and full control of the country restored. President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s solidarity with the government and people of Benin, affirming continued support for peace, stability, and democratic governance in the region.
