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By Lizzy Chirkpi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has applauded the Nigerian Armed Forces for their swift response to an emergency request from the Government of Benin Republic to help protect its constitutional order after an attempted military coup on Sunday.
Benin Republic, a West African neighbour with a 35-year democratic history, came under threat when soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri seized the national broadcaster and announced the removal of President Patrice Talon. The coup plotters also claimed to have suspended democratic institutions, creating uncertainty in the country before loyal forces regained control.
Responding to two formal requests from Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Tinubu ordered the deployment of Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to secure Benin’s airspace and support operations against the rebels. Benin authorities had asked for “immediate Nigerian air support in view of the urgency and seriousness of the situation and to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.”
The second request sought the deployment of surveillance assets and ground troops, under Benin-led command, to assist in stabilizing the situation and protecting democratic institutions.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that the orders had been carried out.
“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” he stated, noting that Nigerian forces were already on Beninese soil as part of the operation.
After the coup attempt was suppressed and loyal forces regained control of the National TV station, President Tinubu praised the Nigerian military for acting as a regional defender of democracy under ECOWAS regulations.
“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. Our armed forces acted within the ambit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. 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.”
The intervention marks one of the most direct regional military responses under ECOWAS rules in recent years, underscoring Nigeria’s leadership role in defending democracy in West Africa.