Acting on two separate requests from the Government of Benin, President Tinubu first ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter the country and take over the airspace to help dislodge the coup plotters from the National TV 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 and to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population."
In the second request, the authorities in Benin requested the deployment of Nigerian Air Force assets within Beninoise airspace for surveillance and rapid intervention operations under Benin-led coordination.
The Benin government also requested Nigerian ground forces, "strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority in support of the protection of constitutional institutions and the containment of armed Groups."
Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, said all the requests have been fulfilled, with Nigerian ground forces now in Benin.
"Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu," he said.
Constitutional order was upended in the Republic of Benin, Nigeria's neighbour, when some soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri announced a coup on Sunday morning. The putschists seized the National TV and claimed they had toppled President Patrice Talon and suspended all democratic institutions.
It took some hours before the government's loyal forces, assisted by Nigeria, took control and flushed out the coup plotters from the National TV.
In his remarks after the restoration of the democratic and constitutional order, President Tinubu saluted the Nigerian armed forces for standing firm as a protector and defender of democracy.
“Today, the Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as a defender and protector of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin on the invitation of the government. Our armed forces acted within the ambit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and have made us proud of their commitment to sustaining our democratic values and ideals since 1999. Nigeria stands firmly with the government and people of the Republic of Benin."
Didn't they say charity begins at home?
ReplyDeleteCraze brother. Who democracy help? Foolish president. Foolish armed forces
ReplyDeleteBravo 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
ReplyDeleteApplauduceee in (French)
Na him we never go dislodge territorial demons 😂
You protected democracy in another country but can't protect your own citizens!
ReplyDeleteThey can act swiftly and win in another country but unable to use same air and land surveillance to wipe out banditry and terrorism in Nigeria. When the government of Nigeria is ready, they know what to do.
ReplyDeleteWhile I applaud the Nigerian Armed Forces for thwarting the coup in Benin Republic, it has become increasingly clear that many of the insecurities that have long plagued Nigeria are internally generated, often driven by greed and conspiracies.
ReplyDeleteHas these Beninese armed forces & so called Ecowas ever come to our rescue?
ReplyDeleteBig brother Nigeria, pls quench your fires first 🙄
While this may be true, the timing is wrong. Read the room before making some public statements.
ReplyDelete