The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has formally approved the request from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deploy Nigerian military personnel to the Republic of Benin. The action followed an attempted military takeover in the Republic of Benin over the weekend, which raised concerns across West Africa about possible regional instability.
The approval was announced on Tuesday during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio after lawmakers reviewed the president’s communication in the Committee of the Whole in line with Section Five, Part Two of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Okay News reports.
Lawmakers agreed unanimously to support the deployment, effectively granting the federal administration full parliamentary authority to participate in the regional security intervention. Akpabio described the decision as a significant step toward ensuring stability across West Africa. According to him, unrest in any neighbouring state has the potential to spill over into surrounding countries. He emphasized this by stating, “An injury to one is an injury to all.”
He further explained that Nigeria has a binding responsibility to assist fellow member states under the Economic Community of West African States framework. Following the adoption of the resolution, the Senate is expected to transmit its official approval directly to the president for further action.
In his letter to the upper legislative chamber, President Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s historic duty to support the Republic of Benin under established security arrangements within the Economic Community of West African States. He warned that the unfolding situation required “urgent external intervention” to prevent additional disruption.
The attempted military takeover in the Republic of Benin occurred on Sunday when a group of soldiers identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation appeared on national television to declare that they had resolved that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic.” The country’s loyal armed forces responded swiftly, pushing back the renegade faction and restoring control.
Sources close to President Talon assured citizens that the situation was stabilizing. They stated, “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.”
Following the failed takeover attempt, the Economic Community of West African States announced the immediate deployment of its standby force to the Republic of Benin. The bloc revealed, “After consultation among members of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, the Chair of Economic Community of West African States Authority of Heads of State and Government has ordered the deployment of elements of the Economic Community of West African States Standby Force to the Republic of Benin with immediate effect.”
According to the regional organisation, the force will include troops from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the Republic of Ghana. The organisation also stated that “The Force shall support the Government and the Republican Army of Benin to preserve constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Benin.”
