The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin following Sunday’s attempted coup in the neighbouring country.
The approval was given on Tuesday after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the President’s letter during plenary.
In the letter, President Tinubu informed the Senate that the deployment was in response to an urgent appeal from the Beninese government after a group of soldiers attempted an “unconstitutional seizure of power.”
The attack, led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, targeted the residence of President Patrice Talon in the Le Guézo area of Cotonou. Later the same morning, Lt. Col. Tigri appeared on national television, reported to be under military control, declaring himself “chairman of the military re-establishment committee.”
Tinubu wrote, “Pursuant to section 5, subsection (5), Part II of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and further to consultations with the National Defence Council, I hereby seek the consent of the Senate for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin.”
He added that Benin had appealed for “the exceptional and immediate provision of air support by the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” noting that the situation required urgent external intervention.
“Considering the close ties of brotherhood and friendship between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, as well as our commitment to collective security within ECOWAS, it is our duty to provide the requested assistance,” President Tinubu stated.
Before granting approval, the Senate went into a closed-door session, where lawmakers examined the security and humanitarian implications of the mission.
Senators raised concerns about the risk of escalating instability in Benin and the possibility of a refugee influx into Nigeria’s border communities if the situation worsened.
Several lawmakers argued that early intervention was necessary to discourage anti-democratic forces and prevent a wider regional crisis.
After deliberations, the Senate returned to plenary and adopted the report of the Committee of the Whole. A voice vote showed overwhelming support for the deployment.
Speaking after the approval, Akpabio said the Senate agreed that the President’s request aligned with Nigeria’s national interest and its commitment to regional peace.
“We believe the President has taken the right step. He acted not just in the best interest of Benin Republic, but in the interest of Nigeria,” he said. “This action protects our borders, prevents criminality, and upholds democracy in West Africa. A duty to one is a duty to all.”
He added that the Senate’s resolution would be forwarded to the President immediately to allow the mission to begin.
As of Tuesday evening, security sources confirmed that Nigerian fighter jets and ground troops earlier deployed by President Tinubu had assisted in suppressing the attempted coup, while Beninese authorities regained control of key state institutions.
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