President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday praised the professionalism and bravery of Nigeria’s Armed Forces after they moved into the Republic of Benin at the request of its government to help protect the country’s 35-year-old democracy from an attempted military takeover.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu approved the swift deployment of Nigerian Air Force fighter jets and ground troops after receiving two formal requests from the Beninese authorities seeking urgent assistance to repel coup plotters who struck at dawn.
In a Note Verbale issued by Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country appealed for immediate Nigerian air support “to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.” Following this, a second request sought the deployment of Nigerian air assets for surveillance and rapid-response missions under Benin’s coordination.
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The Benin Government also requested limited Nigerian ground forces, to be used strictly for operations authorised by Benin’s military command to protect democratic institutions and contain armed elements involved in the attempted takeover.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed on Sunday night that all authorised deployments had been executed.
“Ours is to comply with the directive of the Commander-in-Chief, President Tinubu,” he said, noting that Nigerian ground forces were already operating on Beninese soil.
The crisis in Benin erupted earlier in the day when soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri seized the national television station and announced the overthrow of President Patrice Talon, declaring all democratic institutions suspended. Loyal forces, supported by Nigerian air power and ground presence, reclaimed the station hours later and dislodged the coup elements.
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Following the restoration of constitutional order, President Tinubu commended the Nigerian military for acting decisively in line with regional norms.
“Today, the Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as a defender of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin, on the invitation of its government,” Tinubu said. “They acted within the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and 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.”
