Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has secured the approval of the Senate to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin as part of a peacekeeping mission aimed at stabilising the neighbouring country amid an ongoing attempted coup.
The request, contained in a formal letter addressed to the upper legislative chamber, was read during Tuesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The letter stated that the deployment was sought “pursuant to Section 5, Subsection 5, Part 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.”
President Tinubu’s move follows rising tensions in Cotonou after a faction of soldiers reportedly attempted to overthrow the government — a situation that has prompted widespread concern across the West African region. Nigeria, as a key player in ECOWAS, has been closely monitoring the developments, especially given its shared border and longstanding bilateral ties with Benin.
After deliberations, the Senate granted the President’s request, paving the way for the immediate mobilisation of troops. Lawmakers emphasised that the deployment aims strictly at restoring order and supporting democratic stability in Benin Republic, not interfering in the country’s internal politics.
Senate President Akpabio highlighted the importance of Nigeria’s timely intervention to prevent the crisis from escalating. He praised the armed forces for their readiness and assured Nigerians that the mission would be conducted with professionalism and respect for international law.