President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the bravery of Nigeria’s military for promptly responding to the request from the Government of Benin Republic to protect its 35-year-old democracy from coup plotters who struck at dawn.

The statement was made public on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja.

Following two separate requests from the Beninese government, President Tinubu first ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter Benin’s airspace to assist in dislodging the coup plotters from the National TV station and a military camp where they had regrouped.

The Republic of Benin, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a Note Verbal, requested immediate Nigerian air support “in view of the urgency and seriousness of the situation, to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions, and ensure the security of the population.”

In the second request, Benin authorities sought the deployment of Nigerian Air Force assets for surveillance and rapid intervention operations under Benin-led coordination. They also requested Nigerian ground forces, limited to missions approved by the Beninese Command, to support the protection of constitutional institutions and contain armed groups.

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests have been fulfilled, with Nigerian ground forces now deployed in Benin. “Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” he said.

The constitutional order in Benin was disrupted on Sunday morning when soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri announced a coup, seized the National TV, and claimed to have toppled President Patrice Talon while suspending democratic institutions. Government-loyal forces, with Nigerian assistance, regained control within hours and removed the coup plotters.

In his remarks after the restoration of democracy, President Tinubu praised the Nigerian armed forces for their steadfastness in defending constitutional order.

“Today, the Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as defenders and protectors of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin, acting on the invitation of the government. Our armed forces operated within the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

“They have helped stabilize a neighbouring country and made us proud of their commitment to sustaining democratic values since 1999. Nigeria stands firmly with the government and people of the Republic of Benin,” he added.