President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has applauded the courage and rapid response of Nigeria’s Armed Forces for intervening at the request of the Government of the Republic of Benin to protect the country’s 35-year democratic system from coup plotters who launched an attack at dawn on Sunday.
The commendation was issued in a statement released by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday evening. The statement explained that President Tinubu acted after receiving two urgent communications from Benin authorities seeking immediate assistance to counter soldiers attempting to seize power.
According to the update, President Tinubu authorised the deployment of Nigerian Air Force fighter aircraft into Benin’s airspace to support efforts to “dislodge the coup plotters” from the national television station and a military facility where the renegade soldiers regrouped. The Beninoise Ministry of Foreign Affairs had made the appeal through a Note Verbal, citing the “urgency and seriousness of the situation” and stressing the need to safeguard democratic institutions and protect citizens.
In the second request, the Government of Benin sought the stationing of Nigerian Air Force equipment within its airspace for surveillance and rapid-response operations under Benin’s supervision. They also appealed for Nigerian ground troops to participate “strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority in support of the protection of constitutional institutions and the containment of armed groups.”
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests were implemented, adding that Nigerian troops were already on Beninoise soil. He emphasised that the Armed Forces acted in line with the directive of the Commander-in-Chief, President Tinubu.
Tinubu hailed the Nigerian military for demonstrating unwavering loyalty to democratic principles, noting that their actions were consistent with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. He praised their role in helping restore stability in a neighbouring nation and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting democratic systems across West Africa. According to the statement, the President expressed pride in the military’s resolve to uphold democratic values that Nigeria has embraced since 1999 and reiterated that “Nigeria stands firmly with the government and people of the Republic of Benin.”
Foiled Coup Attempt
Earlier on Sunday, authorities in Benin announced that they had successfully halted an attempted coup. A group of soldiers had appeared on state television claiming that they had removed President Patrice Talon from power. West Africa has faced a surge of military takeovers in recent years, including in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea and most recently Guinea-Bissau.
Talon, aged 67 and widely known as the “cotton king of Cotonou,” is expected to complete his second term in office in April next year. His presidency has been characterised by economic progress but also a rise in jihadist-linked violence in the northern region.
The self-styled “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR) declared on television that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic.” However, a source close to the presidency told AFP that Talon was safe and dismissed the plotters as “a small group of people who only control the television,” noting that the situation was already being contained.
What You Should Know
The attempted coup in Benin prompted an urgent appeal to Nigeria, leading President Tinubu to authorise rapid military support in line with ECOWAS protocols.
Nigerian air and ground forces entered Benin to help secure key institutions and counter the coup plotters, earning praise from the Nigerian leader for their professionalism and commitment to democracy. Benin’s President Patrice Talon remains safe, and authorities say the attempted takeover was quickly neutralised.
The incident highlights continuing instability in West Africa, where several nations have recently suffered military takeovers, strengthening regional pressure for collective defence of democratic governance.
