Tinubu hails Nigerian Military for helping foil coup in Benin Republic

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for their swift and decisive intervention in the Republic of Benin following a request by the neighbouring country to help halt a coup attempt that unfolded early Sunday.

According to a State House statement signed by Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu ordered immediate military support after receiving two urgent communications from the Government of Benin seeking Nigeria’s assistance to protect its democratic institutions.

Acting on the President’s directive, the Nigerian Air Force deployed fighter jets into Benin’s airspace to dislodge coup plotters who had seized the National Television station and regrouped at a military camp.

Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had made the appeal through a Note Verbale, citing the seriousness of the situation and the need to safeguard constitutional order.

A second request sought Nigerian aerial surveillance and rapid intervention capabilities under Beninoise coordination, as well as the deployment of ground troops for approved missions aimed at protecting national institutions and containing armed elements.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests had been executed, with Nigerian ground forces now on the ground in Benin.

“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” he stated.

The coup attempt, led by Colonel Pascal Tigri, saw renegade soldiers announce the overthrow of President Patrice Talon and the suspension of democratic institutions after taking control of the National Television station on Sunday morning. Loyalist forces, with Nigerian support, regained control hours later.

President Tinubu, who also chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, commended the Nigerian military for upholding regional stability and defending democratic norms.

“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.

“They acted within the ambit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance,” Tinubu said.

He added that Nigeria remains committed to supporting its neighbours and strengthening democratic ideals across West Africa.