The Senate has granted approval for President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin as part of regional efforts to stabilise the country after an attempted coup over the weekend.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision on Tuesday during plenary after lawmakers deliberated on the request in the Committee of the Whole, in accordance with Section 5, Part II of the Constitution.
The Senate unanimously endorsed the deployment, giving legislative backing to the planned intervention under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) security framework.
Akpabio described the move as necessary to safeguard regional security, warning that unrest in any neighbouring state poses wider threats.
“An injury to one is an injury to all,” he said, adding that Nigeria has a responsibility to support its ECOWAS partner.
The National Assembly’s approval will be transmitted to the President immediately.
Tinubu, in his letter to the Senate, said the political crisis in Benin “demands urgent external intervention” to prevent a deeper breakdown of order after soldiers attempted to overthrow President Patrice Talon.
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On Sunday, members of a group calling itself the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR) appeared on state television to announce Talon’s removal. The country’s regular army, however, swiftly restored control.
Sources close to the Beninese government later confirmed that Cotonou and other major areas were “secure,” with operations continuing to apprehend those involved in the attempted coup.
Following the incident, ECOWAS directed the deployment of a standby force to Benin, comprising troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
The force is expected to support the Beninese government in maintaining constitutional order and territorial integrity.