Tinubu Praises Nigerian Troops For Averting Coup, Restoring Order in Benin Republic

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their swift and decisive intervention in the Republic of Benin following an attempted coup that threatened the country’s 35-year-old democratic system.

The President authorised the deployment of Nigerian Air Force fighter jets into Benin’s airspace after the Beninoise government issued two urgent requests for military assistance to repel soldiers who attempted to overthrow President Patrice Talon at dawn on Sunday. The coup plotters, led by Colonel Pascal Tigri, had seized the National Television station and a military camp.

According to a Note Verbal from Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country sought immediate Nigerian air support “to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions, and ensure the security of the population.” A separate request asked for air assets for surveillance and rapid intervention, as well as limited ground forces operating strictly under Beninese command to protect key institutions and contain armed groups.

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests were carried out, with Nigerian ground troops now operating in Benin to support the stabilisation effort. “Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” he stated.

The intervention helped loyal forces regain control of the National TV station and flush out the coup plotters after several tense hours.

In a statement following the restoration of constitutional order, President Tinubu hailed the Nigerian military for upholding democratic values in line with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

“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. “They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and 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 statement was issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.