Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has met with his Beninese counterpart, Olushegun Adjadi Bakar, in Abuja to discuss the recent attempted coup in the Republic of Benin and broader regional security challenges.
The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), underscored the urgent need for coordinated responses to rising threats across West Africa.
Tuggar said much of Nigeria’s insecurity stems from external sources, noting the country’s close historical and geographical ties with Benin.
He said, “What happens in one country inevitably affects the other. This is why a coordinated regional response is no longer optional.”
Both ministers acknowledged the long-standing working relationship between their nations and committed to deepening collaboration in the face of shared security concerns.
Speaking on the recent events in Cotonou, Minister Bakar said the foiled coup in Benin reaffirmed the strength of democratic institutions on the continent.
He thanked Nigeria for its swift support through ECOWAS, noting that the response helped to swiftly neutralise the threat.
Bakar disclosed that Benin had specifically requested Nigerian aerial support during the crisis due to the strategic positioning of the coup plotters.
He said, “The request for Nigerian troops was necessary because the coup plotters had positioned themselves in a very delicate zone.
“What was needed was precise aerial backup to carry out a surgical operation targeting key enemy positions without endangering civilians.”
The Beninese minister also called for the immediate establishment of a regional standby force to deter future coup attempts and maintain stability in the sub-region.
He described the existing synergy between Nigeria and Benin as pivotal to restoring calm, and assured that the situation in Benin is now under full control.
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