Amanze Chinonye
President Tinubu has hailed the Nigerian Armed Forces for their rapid and coordinated intervention that helped foil Sunday’s attempted military coup in the Republic of Benin, restoring stability to a country long regarded as one of West Africa’s more durable democracies.
The coup attempt, the most serious in Benin since 1972 unfolded at dawn when a group of mutinous soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri seized the National Television station in Cotonou, declared President Patrice Talon removed from office, and announced the dissolution of state institutions.
The move came at a politically tense moment for Benin, which is preparing for a presidential election in April 2026 amid concerns over rising insecurity in its northern regions.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to a State House statement issued on Sunday by Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Benin’s Government sent two urgent requests for support to Abuja after gunfire erupted around Cotonou and the mutineers seized strategic locations. In a diplomatic Note Verbal, Benin asked Nigeria to provide immediate air support to “safeguard constitutional order” and assist loyal forces in reclaiming national institutions.
READ ALSO : Benin Plunged Into Uncertainty as Soldiers Announce Ouster of President Talon
Benin Government Confirms Attempted Coup Has Been Foiled, Talon Safe
President Tinubu, acting within the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, authorised the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to enter Beninese airspace, take control of the skies and dislodge the coup plotters from the national broadcaster and a military camp where they had regrouped. A second request sought surveillance and rapid-intervention assets as well as deployment of Nigerian ground troops under Beninese command for approved missions.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all directives were executed immediately and that Nigerian troops were on the ground assisting their Beninese counterparts.
“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” he said.
Loyalist forces, backed by Nigerian air and ground units, retook the National Television station after several hours of confrontations, effectively ending the coup attempt. The mutiny had been fuelled, according to sources in Benin, by grievances within segments of the military over security pressures in the country’s north, where extremist violence from the Sahel has increasingly strained the defence forces.
In his remarks after stability was restored, President Tinubu commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for acting swiftly to defend democracy beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“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 have 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 failed coup adds to concerns over the resurgence of military takeovers in parts of West Africa, but Sunday’s rapid regional coordination with Nigeria playing a frontline role helped prevent another democratic collapse in the region.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
