Senate Approves Tinubu’s Request To Deploy Troops In Benin

The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to send Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin to help restore calm and stability following last weekend’s attempted military takeover.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the endorsement during plenary on Tuesday, after the action had been taken and following a review of the president’s letter by the Committee of the Whole, in accordance with Section 5, Part II of the Constitution, as reported by Channels.

Lawmakers voted unanimously to support the deployment, effectively granting parliamentary authorization for the regional security mission.

Akpabio praised the resolution as timely, noting that unrest in any neighboring country could easily destabilize the wider region. “An injury to one is an injury to all,” he stated.

He added that Nigeria has an obligation to stand with its partners under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) framework.

The Senate is expected to forward its formal approval to Tinubu immediately. In his letter to the Senate, Tinubu emphasised Nigeria’s historic responsibility to assist Benin under existing ECOWAS security arrangements, warning that “urgent external intervention” is needed to prevent further deterioration.

The attempted coup in Benin occurred on Sunday when a faction of soldiers identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” declared on national television that “Mr.

Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic.” This move was quickly contained, as loyal military forces pushed back and regained control.

“The regular army is regaining control. The city (Cotonou) and the country are completely secure. It’s just a matter of time before everything returns to normal. The clean-up is progressing well,” sources close to Talon reported.

In light of the failed coup, ECOWAS announced plans to deploy its standby force. “After consultation among members of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has ordered the immediate deployment of elements from the ECOWAS Standby Force to the Republic of Benin,” the bloc stated.

“The Regional Force shall comprise troops from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, and the Republic of Ghana.”