The Senate has given the green light for President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin, following the attempted military takeover in the neighbouring country over the weekend.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the approval on Tuesday during plenary after lawmakers reviewed Tinubu’s letter in the Committee of the Whole, in line with the Constitution. The decision received unanimous support from senators, officially authorising Nigeria’s participation in the regional intervention.
Akpabio described the approval as necessary and timely, noting that instability in any neighbouring nation poses a threat to the entire region.
“An injury to one is an injury to all,” he said, emphasising Nigeria’s responsibility under ECOWAS to stand with its partners.
Tinubu, in his request, stressed that Nigeria has a longstanding commitment to Benin through ECOWAS security agreements. He warned that the attempted coup required “urgent external intervention” to prevent a deeper crisis.
Last Sunday, a group of soldiers calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” appeared on national television in Benin, claiming to have removed President Patrice Talon from office. However, loyalist forces quickly regained control, restoring order in Cotonou and surrounding areas.
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Sources close to President Talon confirmed that the situation was stabilising, with the army firmly back in charge.
Following the failed coup, ECOWAS directed the immediate deployment of its standby force, which will include troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. The force is expected to support Benin’s government and military in safeguarding constitutional order and the country’s territorial integrity.
The Senate will now forward its formal approval to President Tinubu so the deployment can proceed without delay.
