President Bola Tinubu has praised the swift and courageous actions of Nigeria’s armed forces following a coup attempt in the Republic of Benin on Sunday. The coup plotters struck at dawn, aiming to overthrow Benin’s 35-year-old democratic government.
In response to urgent appeals from the Beninese government, President Tinubu directed the Nigerian Air Force to swiftly enter Benin’s airspace. Nigerian fighter jets took control in support of efforts to dislodge the insurgents from the National Television station and a key military base, where they had regrouped.
According to a statement late on Sunday by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the Republic of Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered a Note Verbal to Nigeria requesting immediate air support, citing the gravity and urgency of the situation. The note emphasized the need to safeguard constitutional order, protect national institutions, and ensure the safety of the population.
Benin authorities also requested Nigerian Air Force assets be deployed for surveillance and rapid response missions, coordinated under Beninese command. Additionally, Nigerian ground troops were deployed, with their operations strictly authorized by Beninese military leadership to support the protection of constitutional institutions and suppress armed factions.
The Newsmatrics had earlier reported the deployment of NAF fighter jets over Beninese airspace to monitor the situation on ground and secure the country’s skies but did not directly engage the coup plotters.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests have been fulfilled and that Nigerian ground forces are now actively operating in Benin. He underscored that their actions follow orders from President Tinubu, Nigeria’s Commander-in-Chief.
The constitutional order in Benin was disrupted early Sunday when Colonel Pascal Tigri led soldiers in seizing the National TV station and proclaiming the overthrow of President Patrice Talon, alongside the suspension of all democratic institutions. After several hours of conflict, loyal government forces, bolstered by Nigerian support, regained control and expelled the coup plotters.
In a statement after normalcy was restored, President Tinubu commended the Nigerian military for their steadfast role as guardians of democracy.
“Today, the Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as defenders of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin at the invitation of their government,” he said. “Their actions align with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. They have helped stabilise a neighboring country and made us proud of their dedication to democratic ideals since 1999. Nigeria remains a strong ally to the people and government of Benin.”
