President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed Nigeria’s Armed Forces for what he described as a swift and decisive defence of democracy in the Republic of Benin.
This was after the neighbouring country came under sudden attack from coup plotters at dawn on Sunday.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu praised the military for answering Benin’s urgent call for help and acting quickly to protect constitutional order in the 35-year-old democracy.
Acting on two separate requests from the Government of Benin, President Tinubu ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets into Beninoise airspace to take control and help dislodge the coup plotters.
The armed group had seized the National TV station and regrouped at a military camp as they attempted to topple President Patrice Talon.
Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a Note Verbal, appealed for immediate Nigerian 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.”
A second request asked Nigeria to deploy more air assets for surveillance and rapid intervention, under Benin-led coordination.
The Benin authorities also sought Nigerian ground forces “strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority in support of the protection of constitutional institutions and the containment of armed groups.”
According to Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, all requests from Benin were executed without delay.
He confirmed that Nigerian ground forces were already deployed in the country.
“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” he said.
The crisis in Benin erupted when soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri announced a coup, seized national broadcasting, and declared the suspension of all democratic institutions.
Hours later, loyal government forces — with Nigeria’s support — retook control of the National TV station and moved to flush out the coup plotters.
Following the restoration of democratic and constitutional order, President Tinubu applauded the Nigerian military for its role as a stabilising force 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,” he said.
He stressed that the intervention was in line with ECOWAS protocols.
“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, signed by Bayo Onanuga, affirmed Nigeria’s readiness to stand by democratic institutions across the region in times of instability.
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