Nigeria Confirms Military Intervention in Benin to Help Foil Coup Attempt Against President Talon

 

Nigeria Confirms Military Intervention in Benin to Help Foil Coup Attempt Against President Talon

Nigeria has officially confirmed that its armed forces intervened in the Republic of Benin on Sunday following an attempted military coup aimed at overthrowing President Patrice Talon.

The confirmation came in a late-night statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy.

According to the presidency, the intervention followed two formal requests from the Beninese government seeking immediate military assistance to restore constitutional order and protect state institutions.

Benin Requested Emergency Air and Ground Support

Onanuga revealed that the first request came from Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asking Nigeria to provide urgent air support after soldiers seized control of the National Television station and regrouped at a military camp.

“Acting on two separate requests from the Government of Benin, President Tinubu ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter the country and take over the airspace to help dislodge the coup plotters,” Onanuga said.

A second Note Verbale requested additional Nigerian Air Force deployments for surveillance and rapid intervention missions, all to be conducted under Beninese command.

Benin also asked for ground troops, with the condition that their missions be strictly approved by Beninese military authorities.

Tinubu Praises Nigerian Troops for Defending Democracy

President Tinubu commended the Nigerian armed forces for their swift response and professionalism, saying their actions were in line with ECOWAS protocols on democracy and good governance.

“The Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as protectors of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin,” he said.
“They have made us proud of their commitment to democratic values.”

Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s solidarity with the people of Benin and pledged continued support for regional stability.

Defence Chief: ‘We Simply Follow Orders’

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that every request from Benin had been executed, including the deployment of ground troops.

“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief,” he stated.

Coup Attempt Led by Colonel Tigri Foiled

The attempted coup began early Sunday when soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri took over Benin’s National Television station and announced the removal of President Talon. They also declared the suspension of democratic institutions.

Within hours, loyalist forces reinforced by Nigerian support regained control of the broadcaster and cleared out the coup plotters.

ECOWAS Deploys Regional Standby Force

Following the attempted takeover, ECOWAS announced the deployment of its regional standby force to prevent further instability. The force includes personnel from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire.

The regional bloc warned that it would take all necessary measures to defend constitutional governance in Benin.

Benin now joins the list of West African nations threatened by military interventions amid a surge of coups across the region in recent years.