How Nigerian Forces Helped Defeat Benin Coup Attempt – Presidency

How Nigerian Forces Helped Defeat Benin Coup Attempt – Presidency

ABUJA — The Presidency on Sunday night revealed that President Bola Tinubu ordered immediate deployment of Nigerian Air Force fighter jets and ground troops to the Republic of Benin following an urgent request from the Beninese government to help foil an attempted military coup.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said Tinubu praised the swift and decisive response of the Nigerian military, describing it as a strong defence of democracy in the sub-region.

According to the statement, Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a Note Verbal requesting emergency Nigerian air support to “safeguard constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.”

Acting on the request, President Tinubu immediately ordered NAF fighter jets into Beninese airspace to dislodge the coup plotters who had seized the National TV station and regrouped at a military camp.

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A second request followed, asking for the deployment of Nigerian air assets for surveillance and rapid-intervention operations under Benin-led coordination, as well as limited Nigerian ground forces to support the protection of democratic institutions.

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests had been fully executed, adding that Nigerian troops were already on ground in Benin.
“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief,” he stated.

The coup, led by Colonel Pascal Tigri, saw soldiers seize the national broadcaster and announce the removal of President Patrice Talon, suspending all democratic institutions. Loyal forces, backed by Nigerian units, later reclaimed control and restored order.

President Tinubu, in his remarks after normalcy returned, commended the armed forces for acting within the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, stressing that Nigeria would always defend 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,” he said. “They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and upheld our democratic values.”

How Nigerian Forces Helped Defeat Benin Coup Attempt – Presidency