President Bola Tinubu praised Nigeria’s armed forces on Sunday for helping Benin Republic stop an attempted coup and protect its 35-year-old democracy.
Benin asked Nigeria for urgent military help after soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri seized the national television station and claimed to have removed President Patrice Talon. The group also said it had suspended democratic institutions.
Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a Note Verbal requesting Nigerian Air Force support to secure the airspace, restore constitutional order, and protect key institutions. A second request sought Nigerian surveillance flights and rapid-response operations under Benin’s coordination. The Benin government also asked for Nigerian ground troops for missions approved by its military command.
President Tinubu approved all the requests. Nigerian Air Force jets entered Benin early on Sunday to secure the airspace and help push the coup group out of the national broadcaster and a military camp. Nigerian ground forces later moved into Benin to support loyal troops.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed compliance with all directives. “Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” he said.
Benin’s loyal forces, working with Nigerian support, regained control of the national television station several hours after the coup announcement.
After order was restored, President Tinubu commended the Nigerian military for its role. He said the deployment followed the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and reflected Nigeria’s commitment to democratic stability in the region.
“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. 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 statement was issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
