Nigeria deployed both air and ground forces to help restore constitutional order in neighbouring Benin Republic after a group of soldiers attempted to topple President Patrice Talon, the Presidency has confirmed.
The mutinous soldiers had taken over the state television station on Sunday, announcing the dissolution of the government and claiming to have removed President Talon from office. Identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), they suspended the constitution, shut all borders and declared Lt. Col. Tigre Pascal as head of a military transition council.
Although the whereabouts of President Talon were initially uncertain, Benin’s Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou, later announced that loyal forces had regained control and the coup attempt had been thwarted.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said President Bola Tinubu ordered immediate military intervention following two urgent requests from the Beninese government.
According to him, Nigerian Air Force fighter jets were directed to secure Benin’s airspace and dislodge the coupists from the national broadcaster and a military camp where they had regrouped. Benin, through a diplomatic Note Verbal, sought Nigeria’s air support “to safeguard constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.”
A second request asked for Nigerian air assets for surveillance and rapid-response operations, as well as ground forces strictly under Benin’s command for the protection of state institutions and containment of armed groups.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all directives by President Tinubu had been executed, with Nigerian troops now on the ground in Benin.
“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” he said.
