By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised Nigeria’s military for swiftly intervening to protect democracy in the Republic of Benin following an attempted coup on Sunday.
The action came at the formal request of the Beninese government, which faced an uprising led by Colonel Pascal Tigri.
The coup plotters seized the national broadcaster, announced the overthrow of President Patrice Talon, and suspended democratic institutions.
Acting on two urgent requests from Benin’s Foreign Ministry, President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, authorized the deployment of Nigerian Air Force fighter jets.
The jets entered Beninese airspace to help dislodge the plotters from the TV station and a military camp where they had regrouped.
Nigeria also deployed ground forces to support the protection of constitutional order.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests were fulfilled, with Nigerian forces now on the ground in Benin under Beninese command authority.
After loyalist forces, assisted by Nigeria, regained control and restored constitutional order, President Tinubu commended the armed forces.
He stated they had acted within the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, helping to stabilize a neighboring country and upholding democratic values.
“Today, the Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as a defender and protector of constitutional order,” Tinubu said. “Nigeria stands firmly with the government and people of the Republic of Benin.”