Nigeria’s swift military intervention in the Republic of Benin has earned strong commendation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following a rapid deployment that helped foil a coup attempt and restore constitutional rule on Sunday.
The President praised the armed forces for their decisive response to two urgent requests from Beninoise authorities after soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri seized the National TV station at daybreak, announced the suspension of democratic institutions, and claimed to have ousted President Patrice Talon.
Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had formally reached out through diplomatic channels, asking Nigeria to intervene to safeguard constitutional order, protect national institutions, and ensure the safety of its civilian population.
Acting on the requests, President Tinubu authorised the Nigerian Air Force to enter Benin’s airspace, take operational control, and provide support to local forces attempting to regain key strategic locations.
Nigerian fighter jets were deployed to dislodge the coup plotters from the national broadcaster and a military installation where they regrouped.
A second request followed shortly after, seeking Nigerian aerial surveillance and rapid-response capability under Benin-led coordination, as well as the deployment of Nigerian ground troops for limited missions sanctioned solely by Beninoise command.
General Olufemi Oluyede, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, confirmed the President’s directives were fully executed and that ground forces are now stationed in Benin under the authority of its military leadership.
He noted that the mandate remained clear and constitutionally guided.
“Our responsibility was to carry out the directive of the Commander-in-Chief,” General Oluyede explained, emphasising that the operation aligned with regional protocols.
The joint effort between Benin’s loyal military units and Nigerian forces resulted in the recapture of the National TV headquarters, ending the coup attempt within hours and preventing what could have become a protracted conflict.
In his remarks after the restoration of order, President Tinubu said Nigeria acted within the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, the framework that obligates member states to actively discourage unconstitutional changes in government.
“Nigeria stood gallantly as a defender of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin on the invitation of its government,” the President said.
“Our armed forces have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and reinforced the democratic values that define us as a region.”
Political observers view the intervention as a significant moment for West Africa, where a wave of military takeovers has raised alarm about the future of democratic governance.
While calm has returned to Cotonou, the implications of the foiled coup are expected to influence forthcoming ECOWAS security engagements and reinforce discussions about collective regional defence against anti-democratic threats.