’35-Year Democracy Survives’: How Benin Republic Coup Failed — FG

• President Bola Tinubu has praised the Nigerian military for swiftly responding to urgent requests from the Government of Benin Republic, after coup plotters attempted to topple President Patrice Talon and seize control of national institutions.

President Bola Tinubu has commended the gallantry of Nigeria’s armed forces following their rapid intervention in the Benin Republic, helping foil an early morning coup attempt that threatened the country’s 35-year-old democracy.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency disclosed that the Federal Government acted on two urgent requests from Benin authorities.

According to the statement, President Tinubu ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets into Benin airspace to push back the coup plotters who had seized the National TV and regrouped at a military camp.

Benin Requested Immediate Support

“The Republic of Benin, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a Note Verbal, requested immediate Nigerian air support “in view of the urgency and seriousness of the situation and to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.”

A second request asked Nigeria to deploy Air Force assets within Beninoise airspace for surveillance and rapid intervention, under Benin-led coordination.

Nigeria was also asked to send ground forces “strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority in support of the protection of constitutional institutions and the containment of armed Groups.”

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests were fulfilled, with ground troops now deployed in Benin.

“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” he said.

How the Coup Began

Constitutional order collapsed on Sunday morning when soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri seized the State TV station and announced the removal of President Patrice Talon. They suspended democratic institutions and declared a military takeover.

Hours later, loyal government forces — assisted by Nigeria — reclaimed the TV station and flushed out the mutineers.

Tinubu Praises ECOWAS Protocol Compliance

In his reaction, President Tinubu hailed the Nigerian military:

“Today, the Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as a defender and protector of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin on the invitation of the government. Our armed forces acted within the ambit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.”

He added that Nigeria “stands firmly with the government and people of the Republic of Benin.”

What Happened on the Ground

Benin’s Foreign Minister, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, and Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou, confirmed that coup plotters took control of State TV, cut the signal, and made a broadcast claiming to have ousted Talon.

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The mutineers, calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation, said they were acting to usher in “a truly new era where fraternity, justice and work prevail.”

Eyewitnesses reported gunfire near the presidential residence in Cotonou, and some journalists were held hostage.

By Sunday afternoon, authorities confirmed that loyal forces had regained control.

Seidou announced: “The government, therefore, urges the population to go about their activities as normal.”

Bakari added: “Now it’s a small group of military. A large part of the army is still loyal… The city and the country are completely secure.”

Some coup participants have been arrested, while Colonel Tigri remains on the run.

Foreign missions — including France, Russia and the United States — advised their citizens to stay indoors.

Nigerian Jets Launch Precision Strikes

Security sources disclosed that the Nigerian Air Force conducted precision airstrikes on fleeing coup plotters attempting to escape Cotonou in armoured vehicles.

“The operation was meticulously planned and executed. Our objectives were clear: neutralise fleeing hostile elements, prevent regrouping, and restore stability,” the sources said.

Nigeria later withdrew its fighter jets after the situation stabilised.

ECOWAS and AU Condemn Attempt

ECOWAS and the African Union condemned the coup attempt as an “unacceptable assault on democratic order.”

Both bodies vowed to support Benin in protecting its constitution.

ECOWAS warned that it would hold the leaders of the plot “individually and collectively responsible for any loss to life and property.”

AU chair Mahmoud Ali Yousouf reiterated the organisation’s “zero tolerance stance toward any unconstitutional change of government.”

ECOWAS Deploys Standby Troops

ECOWAS ordered the immediate deployment of its Standby Force, comprising troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, to support Benin’s Republican Army.

The regional force was tasked with preserving constitutional order and territorial integrity.

Wider Trend Across Africa

The failed coup comes just ten days after the uprising in Guinea-Bissau and adds to a growing list of coups since 2020, including:

• Burkina Faso
• Guinea
• Mali
• Niger

The crises have led Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to exit ECOWAS and form a new bloc — the Alliance of Sahel States.