Tinubu deploys fighter jets as Nigeria helps foil Coup in Benin republic
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the deployment of Nigerian fighter jets to Benin Republic on Sunday to help thwart an attempted coup and safeguard the country’s democratic institutions, the Presidency has disclosed.
In a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Tinubu acted swiftly following an urgent request for military assistance from the Beninese government. The request came after coup plotters seized the National Television station and regrouped at a nearby military facility.
According to the statement, Tinubu directed the Nigerian Air Force to secure Benin’s airspace and support loyalist troops in their efforts to push back the mutineers. Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier sent a Note Verbale calling for immediate Nigerian intervention to protect constitutional order and ensure public safety.
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A subsequent appeal sought additional Nigerian assets for surveillance, rapid response operations, and the deployment of ground troops — all under Benin’s command structure. Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that both air and ground support had been fully mobilised.
“Our duty is to carry out the directives of the Commander-in-Chief, President Tinubu,” Oluyede stated.
The coup attempt was led by Colonel Pascal Tigri, who announced the removal of President Patrice Talon and the suspension of democratic institutions after taking control of the national broadcaster. Hours later, loyalist forces, reinforced by Nigerian support, regained control and expelled the plotters from the TV station.
Following the restoration of constitutional order, Tinubu commended the Nigerian military for its decisive role in stabilising the neighbouring country.
“Today, the Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as defenders of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin, acting within the framework of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance,” the President said. “They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and upheld our shared democratic values. Nigeria stands firmly with the government and people of Benin Republic.”
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