Tinubu Orders Nigerian Military to Foil Benin Coup, Presidency Says

Michael Olugbode, Sunday Aborisade, and Chuks Okocha in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu’s prompt response to President Patrice Tallon of the Republic of Benin’s distress call, which was typical of Nigeria’s position on the continent, prevented rogue officers from taking control of the nation in the early hours of yesterday.

Following the appeal for assistance, Tinubu dispatched both air and ground forces from Nigeria, which assisted in securing the neighboring nation and mobilizing the coup plotters, opening the door for the devoted local military personnel to retake control and reinstate democracy.

The Republic of Benin’s failed coup was characterized by the federal administration as a direct attack on democracy, constitutional order, and the collective desire of the Beninese people, who had continuously shown their dedication to a peaceful political transition.

Unconstitutional changes of leadership, according to the government, are unacceptable and a step backward that jeopardizes the subregion’s socioeconomic advancement and hard-won democratic accomplishments.

The attempted military seizure of the Benin Republic’s government was also denounced by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which said that it was a subversion of popular will.

However, the Nigerian non-governmental organization (NGO) Campaign for Democracy (CD) cautioned ECOWAS that unless African leaders adopted true good governance that would enhance the lives of their people, its regular denunciation of coups would no longer prevent military takeovers.

Early on Sunday morning, a group within the Benin Republic’s armed forces had tried to remove Tallon. On Benin’s official television, the troops claimed to have removed Talon from office and disbanded all government agencies.

An attack on Talon’s official residence in the city, Porto-Novo, marked the start of the coup attempt.

“Gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo,” which is close to Talon’s residence, the French Embassy stated on X, advising French nationals to stay inside for safety.

The troops, purportedly under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, made a statement during their TV appearance and declared that they had overthrown the president.

They had declared, “The army solemnly commits to give the Beninese people the hope of a truly new era, where fraternity, justice, and work prevail.”

In order to protect the president from the threat posed by the dissident soldiers and reinstate democracy, the loyalist military group later united around him with the assistance of Nigerian troops.

In response to two different requests from the Benin administration, Tinubu first gave the order for Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter the nation and seize control of the airspace in order to assist in removing the coup plotters from a military camp where they had regrouped and the national TV station.

In a verbal note, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Benin asked Nigeria for immediate 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.”

The Nigerian Air Force’s deployment within Beninese airspace for surveillance and quick intervention missions under Benin-led coordination was the second request made by Beninese authorities.

Additionally, Nigerian ground soldiers were asked by the Benin government “strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority in support of the protection of constitutional institutions and the containment of armed groups.”

Nigerian ground soldiers are currently in Benin, according to General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria.

“We must obey President Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces,” Oluyede declared.

Tinubu praised the Nigerian military’s bravery in acting quickly to protect the Benin Republic’s 35-year-old democracy from coup plotters who attacked at first light.

According to a statement from his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised the Nigerian military for their unwavering commitment to upholding 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,” he wrote in the statement. Within the framework of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, our military forces operated.

Since 1999, they have contributed to the stability of a neighboring nation, and we are proud of their dedication to upholding our democratic principles and ideals. Nigeria is steadfastly in support of the Republic of Benin’s people and government.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also denounced the development in a statement that said, “The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has received with grave concern and unequivocally condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted forcible seizure of power in our friendly neighbor and brotherly nation, the Republic of Benin, in the early hours of Sunday 7th December, 2025.”

“Democracy, constitutional order, and the collective will of the Beninese people—who have continuously shown their dedication to peaceful political transitions—are directly threatened by this act of destabilization.

“Nigeria expresses unwavering support for the government and citizens of the Republic of Benin and commends the prompt action taken by Beninese authorities to safeguard its legitimate institutions and maintain peace.

“We praise the bravery and expertise of the Beninese security forces in protecting the President’s safety and upholding the constitutional order. The regrettable attempt to undermine democracy was successfully thwarted thanks to their commitment.

“Nigeria reiterates its strong commitment to democracy, good governance, and the rule of law as fundamental pillars for peace, development, and regional stability,” the statement continued.

The hard-won democratic gains and socioeconomic advancement of our subregion are at risk due to undesirable and retrogressive changes of leadership.

“Nigeria calls on all member states and the international community to unite in denouncing this act and in reaffirming our shared commitment to the African Union’s Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, as a steadfast partner within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union.”

“We urge all parties in the Republic of Benin to maintain composure, respect the rule of law, and continue to channel any political discourse through peaceful, constitutional, and democratic means,” the ministry added.

“As we collaborate as brothers and partners to strengthen democracy and guarantee enduring peace and prosperity for our peoples and the entire West African region, the Federal Government of Nigeria assures the Government of the Republic of Benin of its full support and ongoing cooperation.”

ECOWAS: The People’s Will Is Subverted

The Benin Republic’s attempted military takeover of power was denounced by ECOWAS as a betrayal of the country’s citizens’ will.

“ECOWAS Commission has received with consternation, reports of an attempted military take-over in the Republic of Benin,” the Abuja-based ECOWAS office said in a statement.

“This illegitimate action, which subverts the will of the Benin people, is strongly condemned by ECOWAS.

“ECOWAS praises the government’s and the Republican Army’s efforts to bring the situation under control and demands that the Benin Constitution be fully respected.”

“ECOWAS holds the plot’s leaders individually and collectively accountable for any damage and human casualties caused by their actions.

“ECOWAS will provide the government and people with all necessary support, including the deployment of the regional standby force, to protect Benin’s constitution and territorial integrity.”

Additionally, ECOWAS sent a standby force to the Benin Republic in order to protect constitutional democracy and prevent law and order.

In its second statement, ECOWAS emphasized steps taken to prevent democracy in the Benin Republic.

“Further to its previous announcement on the Republic of Benin, the ECOWAS Commission hereby advises the general public that:

1. In accordance with the terms of pertinent ECOWAS documents, including Article 25(e) of the 1999 Protocol Concerning the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution Peacekeeping and Security, and

2. Following discussions among Heads of State and Government in the Mediation and Security Council, a. The Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has directed the immediate deployment of ECOWAS Standby Force components to the Republic of Benin.

b. The Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, and the Republic of Ghana will provide troops for the Regional Force.

“c. To maintain constitutional order and the Republic of Benin’s territorial integrity, the Force shall assist the Government and the Republican Army of Benin.”

CD warns ECOWAS to either improve poor leadership or prepare for more military takeovers.

Campaign for Democracy (CD) cautioned that ECOWAS’s regular denunciations of coups might no longer prevent military takeovers, emphasizing that African leaders must instead adopt true good governance that would enhance the quality of life for their people.

In response to the failed coup attempt in the Republic of Benin early yesterday morning, the pro-democracy group claimed that rather than addressing the underlying causes of the growing demand for soldiers in politics, ECOWAS had reduced itself to a statement-issuing organization after each military incursion.

A statement endorsed by CD’s National President, Pastor Ifeanyi Odili, was signed in Abuja.

According to the statement, “ECOWAS would never serve the African people merely by denouncing coups.” The wave of political instability sweeping the continent can only be stopped by strong regional policies that force governments to maintain justice, accountability, and transparency.

According to Odili, leaderships in West Africa have abandoned responsible administration, plunging their countries into economic hardship, skyrocketing inflation, insecurity, and political uncertainty, which is directly responsible for the growing public frustration in the region.

Any democracy that continuously causes misery to its people, in his opinion, “is destined to collapse, either through revolution or a military intervention.”

He emphasized that governments must have true popular support in order for democracy to continue.

“African politicians cannot continue to lead the continent into hardship and expect the populace to remain passive,” said Odili. When governance fails, the people will always look for other options.

According to CD, the recent trend in a number of African nations, where a growing number of people publicly favored military control over what they called a dysfunctional version of democracy, should worry ECOWAS and force it to reconsider how it addresses the region’s governance issues.

The group called on the regional grouping to adopt a zero-tolerance stance against corruption and incompetent leadership among presidents and political office holders, going beyond mere condemnations.

It stated that if ECOWAS wanted to maintain democracy on the continent, it needed to start demanding moral leadership, the fulfillment of electoral pledges, and stringent accountability from member nations.

“Opposing coups is not enough. ECOWAS must demand that leaders rule with integrity, justice, and fairness. If not, coups will persist, whether they are successful or not, according to Odili.

He stated that only effective governance could shield Africa from frequent upheavals of constitutional order and that democracy can only last when its constituents perceive real advantages from the system they are expected to protect.

It’s Unsettling, Atiku Says

Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president, denounced the attempted coup d’état in the Benin Republic, calling the development—particularly the frequency of incidents—concerning.

“I condemn the coup d’état in the Benin Republic, without reservation and in the strongest terms possible,” Atiku declared in a statement released last night.

“This irresponsible pattern of assault on constitutional order is completely intolerable, not only because of its perilous proximity, but also because military meddling in governance has long since ended in Africa and our subregion.

“It is alarming that these coups are taking place in the impacted nations during election seasons.

“The alleged military takeover in Guinea-Bissau occurred on the eve of the anticipated announcement of that country’s poll results, while the presidential election in Benin is scheduled for April 2026.”

“It raises fears that certain political operators may be using the military to cancel the democratic processes,” Atiku stated.

The West African subregion’s democracy is under risk from this trend, which needs to be reversed before it becomes the norm rather than the exception.

“Every decisive step must be taken to crush any emerging appetite for subverting democracy, and soldiers have no business being anywhere outside their barracks.”