The Presidency has revealed the role President Bola Tinubu played in foiling Sunday’s attempted coup in Benin Republic.
According to presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu had deployed air and ground forces to Benin at the request of the country’s government,
Soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri had announced that they had toppled President Patrice Talon via the country’s national TV station.
“Acting on two separate requests from the Government of Benin, President Tinubu first ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter the country and take over the airspace to help dislodge the coup plotters from the National TV and a military camp where they had regrouped.
“The Republic of Benin, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a Note Verbal, requested immediate Nigerian air support “in view of the urgency and seriousness of the situation and to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.”
“In the second request, the authorities in Benin requested the deployment of Nigerian Air Force assets within Beninoise airspace for surveillance and rapid intervention operations under Benin-led coordination,” said Onanuga.
He added that “The Benin government also requested Nigerian ground forces, “strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority in support of the protection of constitutional institutions and the containment of armed Groups.”
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, was quoted as confirming that the requests have been fulfilled, with Nigerian ground forces now in Benin Republic.
Onanuga further quoted President Tinubu as saluting the Nigerian armed forces for defending democracy in Benin.
“Today, 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. Our armed forces acted within the ambit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
“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,” said Tinubu.
Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also condemned the attempted takeover as a violation of the will of the Beninese people.
A statement issued by the commission on Sunday in Abuja said ECOWAS condemned the failed coup, describing it as a subversion of the will of the people of Benin.
It pledged to support the government and people of Benin Republic in all forms necessary, including military deployment in the country to defend its constitution and territorial integrity.
“ECOWAS Commission has received with consternation reports of an attempted military take-over in the Republic of Benin.
“ECOWAS strongly condemns this unconstitutional move that represents a subversion of the will of the people of Benin.
“ECOWAS will support the government and the people in all forms necessary, including the deployment of the regional standby force, to defend the constitution and the territorial integrity of Benin,” the statement said.
The bloc hailed efforts of the government in bringing the situation under control and called for the full respect of the country’s constitution.
It said it would hold the leaders of the plot both individually and collectively responsible for any loss to life and property occasioned by their action.
President Talon first took office in 2016 and was re-elected in 2021.