President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the professionalism and bravery of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their decisive role in thwarting a brazen coup attempt in the Republic of Benin, describing their actions as a shining example of Nigeria’s enduring role as a pillar of peace and constitutional governance in West Africa.
In a statement issued on December 7, 2025, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu commended the troops for responding with unparalleled speed to a distress call from Benin’s government, effectively neutralizing the threat posed by mutinous soldiers and restoring order within hours. The intervention, which involved the deployment of Nigerian Air Force fighter jets and ground troops, came at the formal request of Benin President Patrice Talon and was executed in full compliance with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
The coup plot, led by Colonel Pascal Tigri and a faction of dissident officers styling themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” unfolded in the early hours of December 7 when the plotters seized Benin’s national television station, ORTB, and broadcast a declaration suspending democratic institutions and ousting President Talon. In a swift note verbale to Nigeria, Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs invoked urgent regional solidarity, requesting immediate air support to safeguard constitutional order, protect national institutions, and ensure public security. A second communication followed, seeking sustained aerial surveillance, rapid intervention capabilities, and ground troop deployment for coordinated missions.
Acting decisively as ECOWAS Chairman, President Tinubu authorized the Nigerian Air Force to secure Benin’s airspace, dispatching fighter jets to dislodge the insurgents from the broadcaster’s premises and a nearby military camp where they had regrouped. Ground forces were subsequently deployed to bolster loyalist Benin troops, providing critical support in containing armed elements and reclaiming key sites. By midday, Benin’s Interior Minister appeared on national television to confirm the plot’s failure, crediting the collaborative effort with preventing a full-scale crisis.
“Nigeria stands firmly with the government and people of the Republic of Benin,” President Tinubu stated. “Today, the Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as defenders and protectors 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. They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and have made us proud of their commitment to sustaining our democratic values and ideals since 1999.”
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, echoed the President’s sentiments, affirming that all directives were executed with precision. “Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” General Oluyede said, noting that Nigerian personnel remain on the ground to support ongoing stabilization efforts under Benin’s coordination.
ECOWAS, in a parallel statement, condemned the attempted takeover as a “subversion of the will of the people” and authorized the deployment of a multinational standby force—including elements from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana—to reinforce Benin’s territorial integrity and democratic framework. The regional body reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on unconstitutional changes, a position that has guided responses to recent instabilities in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.
President Tinubu’s commendation arrives against a backdrop of heightened vigilance across West Africa, where military interventions have tested the resilience of democratic institutions. By leveraging Nigeria’s military prowess—bolstered by modernized air assets and rapid-response capabilities—the operation not only averted potential chaos in Benin but also underscored Abuja’s leadership in fostering sub-regional security. Analysts have praised the mission’s restraint and efficiency, with no reported casualties among Nigerian forces or civilians.
As the dust settles, President Tinubu called for continued vigilance against forces undermining democracy, while extending solidarity to President Talon and the Beninese populace. “Nigeria remains committed to the defence of our shared democratic heritage,” he added. “Together, we will build a West Africa where the rule of law prevails over the barrel of a gun.”
The Nigerian Armed Forces, in response to the President’s praise, issued a brief statement expressing gratitude and resolve: “We are honored to serve our nation and our neighbors in the preservation of peace. The gallantry of our personnel reflects the unyielding spirit of the Nigerian military.”
This successful intervention marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria-Benin relations, with both nations pledging enhanced bilateral cooperation on border security and counter-terrorism. President Tinubu has scheduled a virtual summit with ECOWAS heads on December 15 to review the incident and fortify preventive measures against future threats.
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