What happened in Benin Republic was not lost on global watchers. It was a foreshadow of what may befall terrorists in Nigeria if the Federal Government scrambles help from the cowboys from the West. In a daring cross-border intervention, Nigerian warplanes blazed through Beninese skies yesterday as armoured vehicles carrying coup plotters tried to flee the capital, Cotonou — only to be cut off by precision airstrikes and a swift ground advance.
At dawn on Sunday, a rogue faction of soldiers burst onto Benin’s state television, announcing the dissolution of government and the deposition of Patrice Talon. They declared a new “Military Committee for Refoundation” under Pascal Tigri. Loyal forces responded almost immediately — and at the request of the Benin government, Nigeria sprang into action.
Under orders from Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) swiftly deployed fighter jets into Benin airspace, while ground troops — cleared for operations by Beninese command — mobilised to support a full-scale counteroffensive.
Airstrikes — and Coup Plotters Routed
Sources say NAF jets carried out multiple, coordinated air-strikes over a thirty-minute window on fleeing coup elements trying to escape Cotonou in armoured vehicles. The mission was designed to “neutralise hostile elements, prevent regrouping, and restore stability,” according to security briefings.
Within hours, loyalist forces had retaken critical sites — notably the national television station and a military camp — forcing the mutineers into retreat or surrender. Several arrests were reported.
By Sunday afternoon, with the security landscape stabilised, Nigeria withdrew its combat aircraft from Benin. A senior security official said the mission was complete: the threat had been neutralised and the coup attempt foiled.
Meanwhile, loyal troops in Benin maintained control of key institutions, and the government moved to guarantee protection of the president and the constitutional order.
In a statement carried by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the President praised the “gallantry” of the Nigerian armed forces for their prompt and decisive response to the plea from Beninese authorities. According to him, Nigeria acted under the principles of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance — stepping in to defend constitutional order and regional stability.
“The Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as defender and protector of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin,” the statement declared. Nigeria “stands firmly with the government and people” of Benin.
In Abuja, analysts hailed the intervention as a bold assertion of Nigeria’s leadership in West Africa — a firm rejection of military coups and a reaffirmation of democratic ideals.
The failed coup in Benin — and the dramatic arrival of Nigerian jets and troops — sent a powerful message to growing anti-democratic tides across the region. For now, democracy holds firm in Cotonou — thanks in part to a neighbour that heeded the call of duty.
