President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday praised the courage of Nigeria’s Armed Forces after ordering a rapid response to rescue the Republic of Benin’s 35-year-old democracy from a sudden coup attempt. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acted immediately after receiving two urgent requests from the Beninois government for military assistance as coup plotters seized the National Television Station and a military camp at dawn. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu authorized the Nigerian Air Force to take control of Benin’s airspace and dislodge the coupists from strategic state institutions under threat.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu explained that the Benin government, through a Note Verbal issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned that the situation was critical and required immediate intervention “to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.” President Tinubu therefore directed Nigerian fighter jets into the country to reinforce loyal forces struggling to regain control. President Tinubu ensured that all actions were taken within regional protocols governing the defense of democratic governance.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also approved a follow-up deployment request from Benin that called for continued Nigerian air support, surveillance missions, and rapid response operations coordinated under Beninoise leadership. President Tinubu authorized these steps to prevent the coup plotters from regrouping and to help stabilize the country swiftly. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu affirmed that protecting democracy within the ECOWAS sub-region remains a priority.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Deploys Air and Ground Forces Under Benin-Led Coordination
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu oversaw the deployment of Nigerian ground troops after the Benin authorities requested limited ground support to protect constitutional institutions and contain hostile armed groups. President Tinubu instructed the Armed Forces to strictly abide by missions approved by the Beninois Command, ensuring that Nigeria’s involvement respected sovereignty and operational boundaries. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasized that the mission was defensive and stabilizing, not intrusive.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received confirmation from Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, that all directives had been executed. President Tinubu was informed that Nigerian troops and air assets were already inside Benin, operating jointly with loyalist forces to restore order. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was assured that the Armed Forces were acting professionally and firmly under constitutional and regional mandates.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu monitored the situation as the coup attempt, led by Colonel Pascal Tigri, temporarily disrupted constitutional authority in Benin. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu noted that the coupists had seized the National Television Station and announced the suspension of democratic institutions before loyal forces, supported by Nigeria, reclaimed the facility. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stressed that Nigeria’s timely response prevented wider destabilization and protected a vulnerable democracy.
President Tinubu Salutes Troops After Constitutional Order Is Restored
President Tinubu expressed satisfaction after Benin’s democratic government regained full control of state institutions, announcing that constitutional order had been restored. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu praised the resilience of loyal forces in Benin and the decisive contribution of Nigerian troops deployed under ECOWAS principles. Bola Ahmed Tinubu highlighted that safeguarding democracy across West Africa remains essential to regional stability.
President Tinubu reiterated that the Armed Forces acted strictly within the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which empowers member states to help defend democratic institutions when legitimately invited. Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended Nigeria’s military for upholding the country’s long-standing tradition of discouraging unconstitutional takeovers within the region. Bola Ahmed Tinubu pointed out that Nigeria has consistently supported democratic transitions since 1999.
President Tinubu declared that Nigeria “stands firmly with the government and people of the Republic of Benin” following the restoration of order. President Tinubu noted that the Armed Forces demonstrated professionalism, courage, and commitment to democratic ideals in the face of regional instability. Bola Ahmed Tinubu affirmed that Nigeria will continue supporting neighboring countries that seek to preserve constitutional rule.
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