By Adenike Lawal
The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin to help stabilise the country following an attempted coup over the weekend.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision on Tuesday after lawmakers, sitting in the Committee of the Whole, unanimously endorsed the request in line with Section 5, Part II of the Constitution.
Akpabio said Nigeria has a responsibility to support regional peace, stressing that instability in neighbouring countries poses direct security risks.
“An injury to one is an injury to all,” he said.
Tinubu, in his request, cited Nigeria’s obligations under ECOWAS security protocols and stressed the need for swift intervention to prevent further escalation in Benin.
The coup attempt unfolded on Sunday when soldiers under the self-styled “Military Committee for Refoundation” declared President Patrice Talon removed from office. Loyal forces, however, quickly regained control.
ECOWAS has since confirmed plans to deploy its standby force to Benin, with personnel expected from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana to help protect constitutional order and support Benin’s government.
