President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday commended Nigeria’s armed forces for intervening in Benin Republic to help restore constitutional order after soldiers attempted to overthrow President Patrice Talon’s government.
Tinubu said Nigerian troops acted at the request of Benin authorities, who sought immediate military assistance as coup plotters seized the national television station and claimed to have toppled the government at dawn.
Acting on two formal appeals from Cotonou, Tinubu ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter Benin’s airspace to dislodge the mutineers from the state broadcaster and a military camp where they had regrouped. Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a diplomatic note, asked for urgent air support to “safeguard constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.”
A second request called for Nigerian air assets to conduct surveillance and rapid-intervention operations under Benin’s coordination. Benin also sought limited deployment of Nigerian ground troops for missions approved by its military command.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests were carried out and that Nigerian ground forces were now operating in Benin. “Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” he said.
The crisis erupted early Sunday when soldiers led by Col. Pascal Tigri announced they had seized power and suspended Benin’s democratic institutions. Hours later, loyal security forces, with Nigerian support, retook the national television station and pushed the coup plotters from key positions.
Tinubu, who also chairs the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said Nigeria’s action aligned with regional protocols on defending democracy.
“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,” he said. “They have helped stabilise a neighboring country and have made us proud of their commitment to sustaining our democratic values.”
The presidency said Nigeria “stands firmly” with the government and people of Benin following the failed coup attempt.
The statement was issued by presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga.