The Presidency says the Benin Republic made “two separate requests” for Nigerian military support to suppress a coup attempt in the neighbouring country.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acted swiftly by ordering the Nigerian Air Force to take control of Benin Republic’s airspace and support efforts to restore constitutional order.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Onanuga said the Benin Republic, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, formally requested immediate 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.”
The authorities also requested the deployment of Nigerian Air Force assets for surveillance and rapid intervention operations under Benin-led coordination. In addition, Nigerian ground forces were called upon “strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority in support of the protection of constitutional institutions and the containment of armed groups.”
Olufemi Oluyede, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, confirmed that all requests had been fulfilled, adding that Nigerian ground forces are currently operating in Benin.
The coup attempt, led by Colonel Pascal Tigri, began early on Sunday when insurgent soldiers seized the National TV and a military camp, declaring the suspension of President Patrice Talon and all democratic institutions. Loyal government forces, with Nigerian assistance, quickly regained control and expelled the coup plotters.
President Tinubu commended the Nigerian armed forces for their prompt and decisive action, saying they stood “gallantly as a defender and protector of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin on the invitation of the government.”
“Our armed forces acted within the ambit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and have 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,” the president said.
