The Nigerian Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy troops to the Republic of Benin to help restore calm and stability after last weekend’s attempted military takeover.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the endorsement on Tuesday during plenary, following a review of the president’s letter in the Committee of the Whole, in accordance with Section 5, Part II of the Constitution. Lawmakers voted unanimously, granting parliamentary authorization for the regional security mission.
Akpabio described the resolution as timely, emphasizing that unrest in any neighboring country could destabilize the wider region. “An injury to one is an injury to all,” he said, adding that Nigeria has a duty to support its partners under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) framework.
The Senate is expected to forward its formal approval to President Tinubu immediately.
In his letter to the upper chamber, Tinubu noted Nigeria’s historic responsibility to assist Benin under ECOWAS security arrangements and stressed that “urgent external intervention” is needed to prevent further deterioration.
The attempted coup in Benin occurred on Sunday when a faction of soldiers identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” appeared on national television, declaring that President Patrice Talon had been removed from office. The uprising was swiftly quelled as Benin’s loyal military forces regained control.
Sources close to Talon confirmed that “the regular army is regaining control. The city of Cotonou and the country are completely secure. It’s just a matter of time before everything returns to normal. The clean-up is progressing well.”
Following the failed takeover, ECOWAS announced the deployment of its standby force. “After consultation among members of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, the Chair of ECOWAS Authority has ordered the deployment of elements of the ECOWAS Standby Force to the Republic of Benin with immediate effect,” the bloc stated.
The regional force will include troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, and will support the Beninese government and army in preserving constitutional order and safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.
