A swift intervention by the Nigerian armed forces on Sunday helped foil an attempted military takeover in the Republic of Benin, restoring constitutional order in the West African nation and preventing the collapse of its 35-year-old democracy.
The operation followed urgent requests from the Beninese government after a group of soldiers, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, seized the national television station at dawn and announced that President Patrice Talon had been overthrown. The mutineers, identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation, also declared the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of democratic institutions.
According to a statement issued by Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu ordered immediate military assistance to Benin after receiving two formal requests from the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The first request sought urgent air support to take control of Benin’s airspace and dislodge coup plotters occupying the national broadcaster and a military camp where they had regrouped. The second asked for the deployment of Nigerian air assets for surveillance and rapid-response operations, along with Nigerian ground forces to support the protection of state institutions, under the coordination of the Beninese military command.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests were executed promptly, with both air and ground components deployed into Benin Republic.
Reports from Cotonou indicated that gunshots were heard near the president’s residence as the coup unfolded. Journalists at the national broadcaster were briefly held hostage before loyalist troops, backed by Nigerian air operations, regained control of the station.
Benin’s Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou, later announced that the coup attempt had been neutralized and urged citizens to resume normal activities. Authorities also confirmed that Tigri and several collaborators had fled, while others remained in custody.
Beninese Foreign Minister, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, explained that the television signal was cut for several minutes as the mutineers made their broadcast declaring the toppling of President Talon. The group accused the president of mismanaging the country and claimed their actions were intended to usher in “a new era of fraternity, justice and work.”
Following the restoration of order, President Tinubu commended the Nigerian armed forces for what he described as their “gallant defence of democracy” in the region. He said the operation aligned with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which empowers member states to support any government facing an unconstitutional attempt to seize power.
“Today, our armed forces stood firm as defenders of democratic institutions in the Republic of Benin,” Tinubu said. “They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to upholding democratic values since 1999.”
The coup attempt drew swift condemnation from ECOWAS and international partners, who pledged support to ensure stability in Benin and prevent further disruptions in the region.
As investigations continue, Benin’s government has vowed to track down the remaining coup plotters and reinforce measures to protect democratic institutions.
