Quick Summary:
President Tinubu praises Nigerian armed forces for their rapid response to Benin’s request for assistance, leading to the restoration of democracy after a failed coup attempt.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the gallantry of Nigeria’s military for their swift and decisive response to the Government of Benin Republic’s request for assistance in defending its 35-year-old democracy from coup plotters who struck at dawn on Sunday.
Acting on two separate requests from Benin’s government, President Tinubu ordered the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to enter Benin’s airspace and take control to help dislodge the coup plotters from the National TV station and a military camp where they had regrouped.
Benin’s Urgent Appeal for Support
In a Note Verbal issued through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Republic of Benin requested 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.”
A second request followed, seeking the deployment of Nigerian Air Force assets within Beninoise airspace for surveillance and rapid intervention operations under Benin-led coordination.
Additionally, Benin’s authorities requested Nigerian ground forces, “strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority in support of the protection of constitutional institutions and the containment of armed groups.”
Nigerian Forces Restore Order
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests from Benin had been fulfilled, with Nigerian ground forces now deployed in the country.
“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” General Oluyede stated.
The intervention came after Colonel Pascal Tigri and a group of mutinous soldiers announced a coup early Sunday morning, seizing Benin’s National TV and declaring the suspension of democratic institutions.
Within hours, Benin’s loyal forces, supported by Nigerian air and ground units, regained control of key installations and restored constitutional order.
Tinubu Praises the Armed Forces
Following the successful operation, President Tinubu saluted the Nigerian armed forces for their professionalism and courage in defending democracy beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“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,” Tinubu said.
“Our armed forces acted within the ambit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. They have helped stabilize 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.”
Regional Implications
The swift Nigerian response underscores West Africa’s fragile democratic landscape, where military coups have recently destabilized several nations.
Analysts note that Nigeria’s intervention in Benin marks a significant demonstration of ECOWAS solidarity, reinforcing the bloc’s zero-tolerance stance on unconstitutional changes of government.
The operation also highlights Nigeria’s growing regional leadership role under President Tinubu, who currently serves as Chairman of ECOWAS, and its commitment to defending democratic governance across the subregion.
A Victory for Democracy
With constitutional order restored in Benin, attention now turns to rebuilding public confidence and strengthening democratic institutions to prevent future instability.
Nigeria’s decisive action has been widely praised as a model of regional cooperation, reaffirming the principle that African democracies must stand together against threats to constitutional rule.