Tinubu Hails Nigerian Military for Foiling Coup Attempt in Benin Republic
By Naija Enquirer Staff
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for their swift intervention in Benin Republic on Sunday, helping the neighbouring country suppress a failed military coup and restore its 35-year-old democratic order.
Following two urgent requests from the Government of Benin Republic, President Tinubu directed the Nigerian Air Force to deploy fighter jets into Beninoise territory to secure the airspace and dislodge the coup plotters from strategic locations, including the National TV station and a military facility where they had regrouped.
According to a diplomatic Note Verbal sent through Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government appealed for immediate Nigerian air support “to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions, and ensure the security of the population.”
Benin’s authorities later sent a second request, asking for Nigerian Air Force assets to undertake surveillance and rapid intervention missions under Benin-led coordination, as well as ground forces to support the protection of critical institutions and contain armed groups.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests were executed promptly, with Nigerian ground troops now deployed in Benin Republic.
“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, President Tinubu,” he said.
The coup attempt unfolded early Sunday when renegade soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri seized the National TV station and announced they had overthrown President Patrice Talon, suspending all democratic institutions. Hours later, loyalist troops—backed by Nigeria—regained control of key installations and flushed out the coup plotters.
In a statement following the restoration of constitutional order, President Tinubu commended the Nigerian military for upholding regional democratic values.
“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.
