Benin Requests Nigerian Jets And Troops To Crush Coup Plotters – Presidency Reveals

The Presidency has clarified that Nigeria’s military intervention in the Republic of Benin during the recent failed coup was conducted at the express request of President Patrice Talon, not unilaterally.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, made the statement during an interview on Arise News on Monday.

He explained that contrary to speculation, Nigerian forces did not enter Beninese territory without authorization. According to Onanuga, President Talon sent two urgent requests for assistance: initially for air support and subsequently for ground troops.

He said, “I don’t have all the operational details, but what I know is that the government of Benin, led by President Talon, sent two notifications to Nigeria in rapid succession. The first requested fighter jets to dislodge the coup plotters, and later they asked for ground troops.”

Onanuga added that the intervention was conducted under the framework of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Standby Force, following regional protocols aimed at upholding good governance and defending democracy.

He stated, “Under the ECOWAS protocol on good governance and democracy, Nigeria joined other West African nations to form the ECOWAS Standby Force. Nigeria didn’t act independently; it was invited to provide assistance.”