The Senate has given its approval to President Bola Tinubu’s request to send Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin to help restore peace and stability after last weekend’s attempted coup.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision during Tuesday’s plenary after lawmakers reviewed the request in the Committee of the Whole, in accordance with section 5, Part 11 of the Constitution.
The approval received unanimous support from the Senators, providing full legislative endorsement for the regional security mission. Akpabio described the move as necessary, stressing that unrest in any neighbouring country threatens the entire region, adding, “An injury to one is an injury to all.”
He emphasized that Nigeria has an obligation to assist its ECOWAS partner. The Senate’s approval letter will be forwarded to President Tinubu without delay.
President Tinubu had asked the Senate to authorize troop deployment, noting that Nigeria carries a longstanding responsibility to support Benin under ECOWAS security arrangements. He stressed that the unfolding crisis requires “urgent external intervention” to restore order and prevent further instability.
The attempted coup in Benin took place on Sunday when a group of soldiers identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” appeared on national television to declare that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic.”
However, the Beninese military quickly intervened, regained control, and reported that the situation in Cotonou and across the country was secure. Sources close to President Talon assured that normalcy was being restored.
In response to the incident, ECOWAS announced the deployment of a standby force. According to the regional bloc, troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana will form the contingent assigned to support the Government and the Republican Army of Benin in safeguarding constitutional order and protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.