President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the swift and courageous response of Nigeria’s military after they intervened to help safeguard Benin Republic’s 35-year-old democracy from an attempted coup on Sunday.
Following urgent requests from the Beninese government, President Tinubu ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter Benin’s airspace and assist in dislodging coup plotters who had seized the National TV station and regrouped at a military camp.
In its Note Verbal, Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs appealed for immediate Nigerian air support to protect constitutional order, national institutions, and the safety of citizens. A second request sought the deployment of Nigerian Air Force assets for surveillance and rapid intervention, along with Nigerian ground forces for operations approved by Benin’s command authority.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests had been executed, with Nigerian troops 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 coup attempt unfolded when soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri announced the overthrow of President Patrice Talon, seizing the National TV station and dissolving democratic institutions. Loyal forces, aided by Nigeria, regained control after several hours and expelled the putschists.
Following the restoration of order, President Tinubu applauded the Nigerian armed forces for defending democratic stability in the region.
“Our armed forces acted within the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance,” he noted. “They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and demonstrated unwavering commitment to our democratic values. Nigeria stands firmly with the government and people of the Republic of Benin.”
