On Sunday, Nigeria’s military took decisive action in neighboring Benin following a televised announcement by a group of soldiers claiming an impending coup. The intervention was confirmed by the Nigerian president’s office.
In light of two urgent requests from Benin’s government, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu ordered fighter jets from the Nigerian Air Force to enter Benin’s airspace. The objective was to assist in dislodging the coup plotters, who had regrouped at a military camp and were broadcasting their intentions on national television. A statement from the president’s office detailed the mission as critical to restoring order.
The Beninese government reported that it successfully thwarted the coup attempt, highlighting the cooperation with Nigeria as essential to maintaining stability. Benin’s foreign ministry expressed the need for “immediate Nigerian air support,” emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the necessity to safeguard the constitutional order and the security of its citizens.
In addition to the aerial support, Benin requested the deployment of Nigerian ground forces. These troops would operate under the command of the Beninese authorities and were strictly for missions designed to protect constitutional institutions and counter armed groups.
President Tinubu asserted that the deployment of Nigerian troops was in accordance with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocol on democracy and good governance. He stated that such actions were imperative in stabilizing the region.
In a further development, the regional bloc ECOWAS announced that troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Ghana are being sent to Benin to assist in suppressing the attempted coup. The coordination among these nations underscores a collective commitment to uphold democratic governance and regional stability in West Africa.
