By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE SENATE has approved the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin for a regional peace-stabilisation mission, following a request from President Bola Tinubu.
The approval provides legal backing for the troop presence in the country, which is expected to last for a short period.
The consent also followed the reading of a formal letter from Tinubu, seeking authorisation to prevent an “unconstitutional seizure” of power and the “destabilisation” of democratic institutions in Benin.
Days ago, the attempted coup in Benin came after two recent military takeovers in Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, other West African nation that shares borders with Niger and Burkina Faso, both of which have also experienced military interventions.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the approval during plenary on Tuesday after lawmakers considered the request in the Committee of the Whole, in line with section 5, Part 11 of the Constitution.
The Senators voted unanimously in favour, providing legislative support for the regional security intervention.
Akpabio described the decision as a step in the right direction, warning that instability in any neighbouring state threatens the entire region.
“An injury to one is an injury to all,” he said, emphasising Nigeria’s responsibility to support its Economic Community of West African States partner.
The Senate’s consent letter will be transmitted to President Tinubu immediately.
The President had written to the Senate, highlighting Nigeria’s historical responsibility to support Benin under the ECOWAS security frameworks.
He stated that the crisis required “urgent external intervention” to restore stability and prevent further breakdown of order.
The attempted coup in Benin occurred on Sunday, when some military personnel, calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” announced on national television that they had removed President Patrice Talon from office.
Media reports note that sources close to Talon had reportedly said the regular army regained control swiftly.
“The regular army is regaining control. The city (Cotonou) and the country are completely secure,” they said. “It’s just a matter of time before everything returns to normal. The clean-up is progressing well.”
In response to the attempted takeover, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced the deployment of a standby force to the country.
“After consultation among members of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, the Chair of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has ordered the deployment of elements of the ECOWAS Standby Force to the Republic of Benin with immediate effect,” the regional bloc said.
The force will include troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana. ECOWAS said the deployment will support the government and Republican Army of Benin to preserve constitutional order and the country’s territorial integrity, according to the statement,
