The Nigerian Leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for standing firm as a protector and defender of democracy, following their role in restoring constitutional order in the Republic of Benin on Sunday.
The President in a statement issued on Sunday by his Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said the successful operation reflects Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding democratic governance across the West African sub-region.
Mr. Onanuga explained that “the Nigerian government responded to two separate requests from the Benin Republic, prompting President Tinubu to first direct Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to secure the country’s airspace.”
He noted that the jets were deployed to dislodge the coup plotters who had seized the National Television station and later regrouped at a military camp.
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The Presidential Spokesperson stated that 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.”
Mr Onanuga further revealed that 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.
He said that 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.”
According to Mr Onanuga , Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, in his response to President Tinubu’s directive said all the requests of the democratically elected government of the Republic of Benin were adequately 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.
The Presidential Spokesperson emphasised that Constitutional order was suspended in the Republic of Benin, Nigeria’s neighbour, when some soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri announced a coup on Sunday morning.
He further stated that 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.” President added