President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the swift and decisive intervention of the Nigerian Armed Forces in helping to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Benin following a failed coup attempt early Sunday.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President praised the gallantry and professionalism of Nigerian troops who responded to two urgent requests for assistance from the Beninese government after soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri attempted to topple President Patrice Talon.
According to the statement, the Benin Republic government, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sent a Note Verbal requesting immediate Nigerian air support to “safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.”
President Tinubu subsequently ordered Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets to secure Beninoise airspace and dislodge the coup plotters who had seized the National Television station and regrouped at a military camp.
A second request from Benin sought the deployment of additional NAF surveillance assets for rapid intervention operations, as well as Nigerian ground forces operating strictly under Beninese command to protect democratic institutions and suppress armed groups. Nigeria complied with all requests.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed the deployment, stating, “Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu.”
Loyal government troops in Benin, assisted by Nigerian forces, reclaimed the National TV station after several hours and fully neutralised the attempted putsch.
Following the restoration of democratic governance, President Tinubu commended the Nigerian military for upholding regional stability and acting in accordance with the provisions of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
“Today, the Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as a defender and protector of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin on the invitation of the government,” the President said. “They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and have made us proud of their commitment to sustaining our democratic values and ideals since 1999. Nigeria stands firmly with the government and people of the Republic of Benin.”
