Tinubu’s troop deployment to Benin Republic following a coup attempt is approved by the Nigerian Senate

The Senate of Nigeria approved President Bola Tinubu’s troop deployment to the Benin Republic on Tuesday, following Benin’s government’s request for assistance from its larger neighbor to put down an attempted coup on Sunday.

According to Tinubu’s letter to MPs, Benin’s authorities reported a “attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and disruption of democratic institutions” and requested “exceptional and immediate provision of air support” from Nigeria’s military forces.

Nigerian law requires the president to request permission from the Senate before sending troops abroad.

On Monday, the government of Benin announced that Nigerian fighter jets had conducted airstrikes to stop a coup attempt by rebellious soldiers to overthrow President Patrice Talon.

Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s “close ties of brotherhood and friendship” with Benin, its dedication to regional security, and the values that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) upholds.

Tinubu has called on parliamentarians to take “expeditious” action to protect the stability of Benin, which borders Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, by more than 700 kilometers.

Omar Alieu Touray, the president of the ECOWAS Commission, stated that the bloc was dealing with a number of issues, such as coups and jihadist violence.

Touray stated, “It is safe to declare that our community is in a state of emergency,” at an ECOWAS mediation and security council ministerial meeting in Abuja.

ECOWAS has ordered the deployment of its standby force in Benin after denouncing the country’s attempted power grab.