By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
MEMBERS OF the Nigerian Armed Forces have been commended by President Bola Tinubu for their swift response to requests from the Government of Benin to restore constitutional order following an attempted coup in the neighbouring country.
The Benin government formally sought Nigeria’s support after soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri seized the National TV and a military camp, claiming to have toppled President Patrice Talon and suspended democratic institutions.
According to a Note Verbal from the Benin Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the requests were urgent to safeguard constitutional order, protect national institutions, and ensure the security of the population.
President Tinubu acted on the two separate appeals by deploying Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to take over Benin’s airspace and assist in dislodging the coup plotters.
The second request involved the use of Nigerian air assets for surveillance and rapid intervention operations under Benin-led coordination.
Additionally, the Benin authorities requested Nigerian ground forces strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command to support the protection of constitutional institutions and contain armed groups.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests had been fulfilled, adding that Nigerian ground forces were now present in Benin.
He stated: “Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu.”
President Tinubu highlighted the performance of the Nigerian Armed Forces in stabilising the situation.
“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.
“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,” he said.
Also, the president’s remarks delivered following the restoration of democratic and constitutional order, showed Nigeria’s support for regional stability and its adherence to ECOWAS protocols.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued a statement documenting Nigeria’s compliance with Benin’s requests and detailing the sequence of military support provided to secure the nation’s democratic institutions.
It said the coup attempt disrupted the constitutional process in Benin on Sunday morning when the putschists announced their takeover and claimed control of key national institutions.
However, the loyal forces, with assistance from Nigeria, regained control after several hours, restoring the government’s authority and ensuring continuity of constitutional governance.
The statement also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to defending constitutional order and supporting neighbouring countries when invited under regional frameworks.
It concluded that it was the operational coordination between Nigeria and Benin that facilitated timely intervention to stabilise the situation.
