President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended Nigeria’s Armed Forces for what he described as a swift and decisive intervention that helped defend democracy in the Republic of Benin after an attempted coup at dawn on Sunday.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu praised the Nigerian military for responding promptly to Benin’s urgent request for assistance and acting to protect the country’s 35-year-old democratic order.

Following two separate appeals from the Government of Benin, President Tinubu authorised the deployment of Nigerian Air Force fighter jets into Beninese airspace to help regain control from coup plotters.

The armed group had seized the national broadcasting station and regrouped at a military camp in their bid to oust President Patrice Talon.

A diplomatic Note Verbal from Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked Nigeria for immediate air support “to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.”

A second request asked for additional surveillance aircraft and rapid-response support under Benin-led coordination.

Benin also sought the limited deployment of Nigerian ground forces for missions sanctioned by its command authorities.

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests were carried out without delay, adding that Nigerian ground troops were already on the ground.

“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” he said.

The crisis erupted when soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri announced a takeover, suspended democratic institutions, and occupied Benin’s national broadcaster.

Hours later, government forces, backed by Nigeria, regained control of the media headquarters and moved to neutralise the coup plotters.

With constitutional order restored, President Tinubu lauded the Nigerian Armed Forces for acting as a stabilising influence in the subregion.

“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,” he stated.

He emphasised that the intervention aligned with ECOWAS protocols on democracy and good governance.

“Our armed forces acted within the ambit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and 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.”

The statement reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to support democratic institutions across West Africa in times of political instability.