President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate’s consent to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin, following a security appeal from the neighbouring country.
The request was read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Citing Section 5, Subsection 5, Part 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Tinubu sought the upper chamber’s approval for the troop deployment in consultation with the National Defence Council.
According to the letter, the Benin Republic government requested “exceptional and immediate provision of air support by the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” after facing “an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and disruption of democratic institutions.”
“The situation, as reported by the government of Benin, requires urgent external intervention,” the president wrote. He also highlighted the historical ties of “brotherhood and friendship” between Nigeria and Benin, stressing that the deployment aligns with ECOWAS principles of collective security.
Senate President Akpabio subsequently referred the letter to the committee of the whole for immediate consideration.
The move follows an attempted coup in Benin Republic on December 7, when a group of military officers briefly announced the overthrow of the government. Hours later, the presidency confirmed that the coup had been thwarted and President Patrice Talon remained safe.
In response, Nigeria quickly agreed to provide air and ground troop support to help contain the mutineers and stabilize the situation.
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