By: Babagana Bukar Wakil, Maiduguri
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the gallantry and swift response of Nigeria’s Armed Forces following their successful intervention to protect constitutional order in theu Republic of Benin after an attempted military coup.
According to a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dated December 7, 2025, the President acted on urgent requests from the Government of Benin by authorising the immediate deployment of Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to secure Beninese airspace. The operation enabled the disruption of coup elements who had occupied the National Television Station and regrouped at a military facility.
In a formal diplomatic communication (Note Verbale), the Government of Benin, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, requested emergency Nigerian air support “in view of the urgency and seriousness of the situation, to safeguard constitutional order, protect national institutions, and ensure the security of the population.”
A second request sought the deployment of Nigerian Air Force surveillance and rapid-response assets within Beninese airspace, operating under Benin-led operational coordination.
The Beninese authorities also requested the limited deployment of Nigerian ground forces strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command Authority, 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 had been fully executed, with Nigerian ground forces now effectively deployed in Benin.
“Our duty is to comply with the lawful directives of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” General Oluyede stated.
The constitutional order in Benin was threatened when a group of soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri announced a coup attempt early Sunday, claiming the overthrow of President Patrice Talon and the suspension of democratic institutions after seizing the National Television facility.
Within hours, loyalist forces, supported by Nigerian military assets, regained full control of strategic installations and neutralised the coup plotters, restoring constitutional governance.
Following the successful restoration of democratic order, President Tinubu praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for their steadfast role as defenders of democracy in the sub-region.
“Today, the Nigerian Armed Forces stood gallantly as defenders of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin, acting upon the invitation of its legitimate government. Our forces operated fully within the framework of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. They have stabilised a neighbouring country and reaffirmed Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to democratic values and constitutional governance since 1999. Nigeria stands firmly in solidarity with the government and people of the Republic of Benin,” the President said.
PR
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