Nigeria has deployed both air and ground forces to the Benin Republic after a failed attempt by military officers to overthrow President Patrice Talon. Military insiders confirmed that Nigerian troops have already arrived in Benin and are assisting in securing key government institutions.
The attempted coup, which took place on Sunday, 7 December 2025, posed a significant threat to Benin’s long-standing democratic order. The plotters reportedly made efforts to seize national broadcasts and military installations, prompting urgent requests for help from the government in Cotonou.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu responded by first authorising the deployment of a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet into Benin’s airspace. The aircraft was tasked with disrupting the coup plotters’ hold on strategic locations and reinforcing control for the legitimate government.
A statement released by the President’s Special Adviser, Mr Bayo Onanuga, revealed that Benin sought Nigeria’s support to protect its 35 years of democratic governance. The request underscored the urgency of the situation and the danger posed by the renegade officers.
The statement explained that Tinubu acted on two formal requests from Beninoise officials. The initial request called for Nigerian fighter jets to take charge of Benin’s airspace and assist in dispersing the coup elements from a military base and the national television station. The second request asked for additional air assets to support surveillance and rapid intervention missions.
Benin also asked for Nigerian ground troops to undertake operations specifically approved by its own military command, particularly those related to safeguarding constitutional institutions and containing hostile armed groups that might exploit the instability.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that the military has executed all directives issued by the Commander-in-Chief. He noted that Nigerian ground troops are now fully deployed in Benin, working under coordinated command structures.
“We are acting under the orders of President Tinubu,” General Oluyede said, emphasising Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability and the protection of democratic governance across West Africa.
