The Nigerian Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy troops to restore peace and order in Benin Republic in the wake of last week’s foiled coup attempt.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the historic decision on Tuesday during plenary, after lawmakers deliberated in the Committee of the Whole, citing Section 5, Part II of the Constitution.
The vote was unanimous, giving full legislative backing for Nigeria’s swift regional intervention.
“An injury to one is an injury to all,” Akpabio warned, stressing that instability in a neighboring state threatens the entire West African region. He added that Nigeria must uphold its responsibility as an ECOWAS partner.
The Senate’s approval letter will be sent to President Tinubu immediately, greenlighting the troop deployment.
Tinubu had written to the Senate explaining that the crisis in Benin requires “urgent external intervention” under ECOWAS security frameworks to prevent further chaos and restore order.
The coup attempt erupted on Sunday when rogue soldiers calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR) stormed national television, declaring President Patrice Talon removed from office.
But Benin’s military quickly regained control.
“The regular army is regaining control. The city (Cotonou) and the country are completely secure,” sources close to Talon said. “It’s just a matter of time before everything returns to normal. The clean-up is progressing well.”
ECOWAS moved swiftly, announcing the immediate deployment of a standby force to back Benin’s government.
“After consultation among members of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, the Chair of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has ordered the deployment of elements of the ECOWAS Standby Force to the Republic of Benin with immediate effect,” the bloc said.
“The Regional Force shall be made up of troops from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, and the Republic of Ghana.
“The Force shall support the Government and the Republican Army of Benin to preserve constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Benin.”
