The presidency says Benin Republic made “two separate
requests” for the intervention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and ground
troops in quashing the coup attempt in the neighbouring country.
Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said President Bola
Tinubu acted on the requests by ordering the air force to take control of the
Benin Republic airspace.
In a statement issued late on Sunday, the presidential
spokesperson said the Benin Republic also requested the support of Nigerian
ground troops.
“Acting on two separate requests from the Government of
Benin, President Tinubu first ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter
the country and take over the airspace to help dislodge the coup plotters from
the National TV and a military camp where they had regrouped,” the statement
reads in part.
“The Republic of Benin, through its Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, in a Note Verbal, requested immediate Nigerian air support “in view of
the urgency and seriousness of the situation and to safeguard the
constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of
the population.
“In the second request, the authorities in Benin requested
the deployment of Nigerian Air Force assets within Beninoise airspace for
surveillance and rapid intervention operations under Benin-led coordination.
“The Benin government also requested Nigerian ground forces,
“strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority in support of
the protection of constitutional institutions and the containment of armed
groups.”
Olufemi Oluyede, Nigeria’s chief of defence staff, was
quoted as saying that all the requests have been fulfilled, adding that the
Nigerian ground forces are presently in the Benin Republic.
Following the operation, the president was said to have
commended the Nigerian armed forces for protecting the 35-year-old democracy of
the Benin Republic.
“Today, the Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as a
defender and protector of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin on the
invitation of the government,” the president said.
“Our armed forces acted within the ambit of the ECOWAS
Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
“They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and have
made us proud of their commitment to sustaining our democratic values and
ideals since 1999. Nigeria stands firmly with the government and people of the
Republic of Benin.”
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