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From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally written to the Senate seeking its consent for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin following an attempted coup in the neighbouring West African nation.
The letter, read during Tuesday’s plenary, detailed an urgent request from the Government of Benin for exceptional and immediate air support from Nigeria’s Armed Forces after soldiers attempted to overthrow President Patrice Talon.
Tinubu, citing Section 30 (5), Part II of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), informed the Senate that he had consulted the National Defence Council and now seeks legislative approval to authorize troop deployment for a regional peace mission.
According to the President, Benin is currently grappling with “an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and the destruction and destabilization of democratic institutions.”
He urged the Senate to act swiftly, stressing Nigeria’s longstanding ties with Benin and its obligations under ECOWAS protocols.
The President noted that the situation in Benin requires “urgent external intervention” and that Nigeria must fulfil its duty to support an ECOWAS partner facing instability.
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Senate President Godswill Akpabio immediately referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for expedited consideration.
The latest turmoil in Benin began on Sunday morning when a group of soldiers identifying themselves as the “Committee for Refoundation” took over the national television station and announced a coup.
Led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, eight soldiers declared the removal of President Talon, the dissolution of the government, and the suspension of state institutions.
Tigri, formerly a member of President Talon’s security detail, previously commanded a National Guard artillery battalion between 2023 and 2025.
By Sunday afternoon, the coup had been foiled by Benin’s military, with significant backing from Nigerian air and ground forces, who pursued and neutralized fleeing coup participants.
As the region watches closely, Nigeria’s proposed troop deployment is expected to reinforce stability efforts and prevent further escalation in Benin.
