President Bola Tinubu on Sunday commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their rapid response in aiding Benin Republic to foil an attempted military coup, following an official request from the Beninese government for military support.
The intervention came after soldiers led by Col. Pascal Tigri seized the national television station in Cotonou early Sunday and announced the overthrow of President Patrice Talon.
Loyalist forces, backed by Nigerian air and ground troops, successfully reclaimed key locations, including the broadcaster and a military camp.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu confirmed that Benin had formally requested Nigeria’s assistance in two separate communications after the coup plotters declared a suspension of democratic institutions.
Acting on the request, Tinubu authorized the deployment of Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to secure Benin’s airspace and support operations to flush out the mutineers.
Benin also requested Nigerian surveillance aircraft and ground forces for missions approved by Beninese command “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 executed and that Nigerian troops were already on the ground assisting Beninese forces.
