EXPLAINER: How Nigeria’s Military Engagement Thwarted Benin Coup
Nigeria’s military intervened in neighboring Benin on Sunday after a handful of soldiers announced a coup attempt on state television, the Nigerian president’s office said.
In response to two requests from Benin’s government, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu “ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter the country and take over the airspace to help dislodge the coup plotters from the National TV and a military camp where they had regrouped,” according to a statement from his office.
The Beninese administration claims it has foiled an attempted coup.
Nigeria stated that Benin’s foreign ministry had requested “immediate Nigerian air support”.
Nigeria Condemns Attempted Unconstitutional Change of Government in the Republic of Benin. pic.twitter.com/TEbNlGQcHS
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) December 7, 2025
It stated that the ministry’s note underlined the “urgency and seriousness of the situation” as well as the necessity to safeguard the constitutional order, national institutions, and population security.
Benin also requested that Nigerian fighter jets be deployed within its airspace for “surveillance and rapid intervention operations under Benin-led coordination”.
ALSO READ:
- “Don’t Attack Public Infrastructure!” – IG Kanja Asks Kenyans, Issues Orders To Police
- “NO MORE NIL TAX RETURNS!” – KRA Tells Kenyans, Introduces New Changes
- Eliud Owalo Blasts Ruto Gov’t, Demands EACC & DCI Investigations Into Fake Sugar Scandal
- President’s Office Releases 2026 National Holidays Calendar, Names Host Counties
- Kenya Goes After British Oil Giant Over Hundreds Of Deaths In The North
It further requested that Nigerian ground forces be deployed “strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority in support of the protection of constitutional institutions and the containment of armed groups”.
Tinubu claimed his troops followed the ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance.
“They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country,” he added in the statement.
Regional bloc ECOWAS said earlier that soldiers from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Ghana were being sent to Benin to help contain a coup attempt.
EXPLAINER: How Nigeria’s Military Engagement Thwarted Benin Coup
