LAGOS DECEMBER 8TH (NEWSRANGERS)-Nigeria’s armed forces on Sunday helped foil an attempted military takeover in neighbouring Benin Republic, swiftly responding to urgent requests from Cotonou and restoring constitutional order within hours of the dawn coup attempt.
According to a State House statement signed by Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered immediate military action after receiving two formal requests from the Government of Benin, which reported that coup plotters had seized the National Television station and claimed to have toppled President Patrice Talon.
The coup, led by Colonel Pascal Tigri, briefly disrupted Benin’s 35-year-old democratic order as the mutinous soldiers announced the suspension of democratic institutions and attempted to establish control over the state broadcaster and a military camp.
In response to Benin’s Note Verbale requesting emergency assistance, President Tinubu authorised Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to take over Beninoise airspace “to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.”
A second request later sought the deployment of ground forces as well as surveillance and rapid-intervention operations under Benin’s command authority.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all directives from the Beninese authorities were executed.
“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” he said, noting that Nigerian troops were already operating inside Benin in support roles approved by the host government.
Loyal forces of the Beninese government, supported by Nigerian units, regained control of strategic locations and flushed out the insurgent soldiers from the National TV, restoring public communications and constitutional authority.
In remarks after the operation, President Tinubu praised Nigerian troops for acting decisively and within established regional protocols.
“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,” he said.
He emphasised that the intervention was consistent with ECOWAS’ democracy and good governance framework and demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability.
“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,” the President stated.
The Nation
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