President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday detailed how the Nigerian Armed Forces intervened to help thwart an attempted coup in the Benin Republic, describing the operation as a decisive demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to defending democracy in West Africa.
A dawn mutiny led by Colonel Pascal Tigri had briefly upended constitutional order in Nigeria’s western neighbour after the putschists seized the national broadcaster and announced the overthrow of President Patrice Talon’s government.
The situation prompted an urgent diplomatic appeal to Abuja.
According to the Presidency, Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent two formal requests, both calling for immediate military assistance to stabilise the country’s institutions and halt the rebels’ advance.
In response, President Tinubu, authorised a rapid military deployment under regional protocols guiding collective defence of democratic governance.
The first order directed Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets into Benin’s airspace to take control of critical locations and neutralise the mutineers’ hold on the state television station and a military camp where they had regrouped.
A second request saw Nigeria deploy air assets for sustained aerial surveillance and rapid intervention under Beninese operational coordination.
Benin further asked for Nigerian ground troops to assist its forces in securing constitutional institutions and containing armed elements involved in the uprising.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests had been fulfilled and that Nigerian troops were already operating in Benin strictly under instructions approved by the Beninese command structure.
“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” General Oluyede said.
The coordinated response enabled loyalist units, backed by Nigerian support, to regain control of the national broadcaster and other strategic sites within hours. By late afternoon, authorities had flushed out the coup plotters, restoring civilian authority in Cotonou.
In a statement issued after the failed coup, President Tinubu praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for what he described as their resolute defence of constitutional order beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“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.
“They acted within the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and made us proud of their commitment to sustaining our democratic values and ideals since 1999.”
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s solidarity with the government and people of Benin, warning that the region cannot afford any reversal of democratic gains at a time of growing instability across West Africa.
The coup attempt comes amid a wave of military takeovers in parts of the sub-region, heightening pressure on ECOWAS to respond firmly to preserve constitutional rule.
