Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has praised the country’s armed forces after they helped Benin Republic repel an attempted coup on Sunday (December 7), following an emergency request from Cotonou, according to a statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.

Onanuga said Tinubu authorised immediate military assistance after receiving two urgent appeals from the Beninese government for air support to “safeguard constitutional order and ensure the security of the population.” Nigeria deployed Air Force fighter jets into Benin’s airspace to dislodge soldiers who had seized key installations.

Benin’s request also sought Nigerian air assets for surveillance and rapid intervention under Benin’s command authority, along with a limited deployment of Nigerian ground forces for missions approved by Benin’s military leadership.

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that the armed forces carried out the operations as ordered. “Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief, President Tinubu,” he said.

The crisis began early Sunday when soldiers led by Col. Pascal Tigri briefly occupied the national broadcaster and announced the ousting of President Patrice Talon, declaring the suspension of democratic institutions. Loyal Beninese forces, supported by Nigerian personnel, reclaimed control after several hours.

Tinubu commended the troops for what he described as a defence of democracy beyond Nigeria’s borders, saying the intervention aligned with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. He added that the action helped stabilise a neighbouring state at a critical moment.

“Nigeria stands firmly with the government and people of the Republic of Benin,” he said.

The attempted coup marks the most serious political disruption Benin has faced in years and comes amid heightened insecurity and institutional strain across parts of West Africa.