The Presidency has clarified that the deployment of Nigerian military personnel to the Republic of Benin during the recent failed coup was not unilateral, but carried out at the request of President Patrice Talon.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the disclosure during an interview on Arise News on Monday.
Onanuga explained that contrary to speculation, the Nigerian military did not enter Benin’s territory without clearance, stating that President Talon sent two urgent requests for assistance, first for air support and later for ground troops.
Onanuga said, “Well, I don’t have all the security details, but what I know is that the government of Benin, President Talon’s government, sent two notifications to Nigeria in quick succession.
“The first was a request for fighter jets to help dislodge the coup plotters, and after that, they again requested for ground troops.”
Onanuga further noted that the intervention was carried out within the framework of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Standby Force, in line with regional protocols on good governance and the defence of democracy.
He said, “Of course, under the ECOWAS protocol of good governance and democracy, Nigeria rejoined other West African nations in forming what they call the ECOWAS Standby Force.
“So that’s what happened. Nigeria didn’t just go there; Nigeria was invited to help them.”
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