Tinubu hails Nigerian troops for helping foil coup in Benin Republic
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday applauded the Nigerian Armed Forces for their swift and coordinated intervention in Benin Republic after an attempted coup in the neighbouring country.
His response followed reports that loyalist forces in Benin, backed by Nigerian troops and air power, successfully dislodged mutinous soldiers who had earlier seized the national television station and declared the overthrow of President Patrice Talon.
President Tinubu.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Government of Benin formally requested Nigeria’s military support in two separate messages after coup plotters led by Col. Pascal Tigri announced the suspension of democratic institutions.
Acting on the request, President Tinubu ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to secure Benin’s airspace and assist in clearing the rebels from key strategic points, including the national broadcaster and a military camp. Benin also sought the deployment of Nigerian surveillance aircraft and 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 approved missions had been executed and that Nigerian troops were already deployed in Benin to support the stabilisation effort.
He said …
“Earlier today, on my orders, 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
@ecowas_cedeao
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 stands firmly with the government and people of the Republic of Benin.
~ PBAT”
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