Tinubu praises Nigerian Armed forces for swift intervention in foiling Benin Coup attempt
International
Abuja, FCT – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the Nigerian military for its decisive role in thwarting an early morning coup attempt in neighboring Benin Republic, crediting the forces with safeguarding the West African nation's 35-year-old democracy.
In an official statement released by the Presidency on Monday, Tinubu described the Nigerian troops as "gallant defenders" who responded to Benin's urgent plea for assistance.
The intervention, which unfolded on Sunday, December 7, involved Nigerian Air Force fighter jets securing Benin's airspace and ground units helping to dislodge mutinous soldiers from key sites, including the national broadcaster and a military barracks.
"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," Tinubu stated in the remarks, emphasizing that the operation aligned with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
As current ECOWAS Chairman, Tinubu underscored Nigeria's commitment to regional stability, noting that the forces "have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and have made us proud of their commitment to sustaining our democratic values and ideals since 1999."
The coup bid began at dawn when a faction of Benin soldiers, led by a figure identified in reports as General Pascal Tigri, seized the state television station and declared the suspension of democratic institutions, including President Patrice Talon's government.
Loyalist forces, bolstered by Nigerian support, swiftly regained control, restoring constitutional order by midday.
Benin's government had formally requested Nigeria's aid amid the chaos, prompting Tinubu to authorize the deployment without hesitation. The operation marked a rare but successful cross-border military collaboration in the region, where recent years have seen successful coups in countries like Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso test ECOWAS's resolve.
This event comes as Tinubu's administration navigates its own security landscape, while reinforcing Nigeria's traditional role as a stabilizing force in West Africa. ECOWAS officials have yet to issue a formal joint statement, but sources indicate the bloc views the intervention as a model for collective defense against democratic backsliding.
Tinubu's commendation arrives on the heels of the operation's success, with no reported casualties among Nigerian personnel.
Benin authorities have detained several plotters, and investigations into the coup's origins are underway.
