Tinubu praises Nigerian forces for helping protect democracy in Benin Republic
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised Nigeria’s Armed Forces for helping to stop an attempted coup in the Republic of Benin on Sunday.
The Government of Benin asked Nigeria for urgent support after soldiers, led by Colonel Pascal Tigri, tried to overthrow President Patrice Talon. The coup plotters took over the National TV station early in the morning and said they had suspended all democratic institutions.
In response to two official requests from Benin, President Tinubu ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter Benin’s airspace. Their mission was to help remove the coup plotters from the National TV station and a military camp where they had gathered.
Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country needed quick air support to “safeguard the constitutional order” and protect its people. Benin also asked for Nigerian aircraft to help with surveillance and rapid response operations, under Benin’s command. In addition, the country requested Nigerian ground troops to support the protection of its institutions and prevent further violence.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests were carried out and that Nigerian ground forces were now in Benin. “Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief, President Tinubu,” he said.
After several hours, loyal Benin forces, with Nigeria’s help, regained control of the National TV station and pushed out the coup plotters.
Following the restoration of order, President Tinubu praised the Nigerian military for defending democracy in a neighbouring country. He said the intervention followed ECOWAS rules and showed Nigeria’s commitment to democratic values.
“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,” he said. “They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and made us proud.”
The statement was issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on 7 December 2025.
Earlier same Sunday, December 7, 2025, the group of Benin Republic soldiers, calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” had appeared on state TV and announced that they had removed President Talon from power, but people close to him had insisted that he was safe and that the army was taking back control.
The soldiers had announced that they had met and decided to remove President Talon from office.
The now foiled coup comes after two recent coups in Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. Benin Republic also borders Niger Republic and Burkina Faso, which have both experienced military takeovers in the past few years.
The French Embassy said online that gunfire had been heard at Camp Guezo, close to the president’s official residence in Benin’s economic capital. It advised French citizens to stay indoors for their safety.
However, people in Talon’s circle said the president, who has led the country for 10 years and is expected to leave office next April, was unharmed. They described the soldiers involved as a small group who only managed to take control of the TV station. They added that the regular army was taking charge again and that the city and country remained safe.
Benin Republic has a long history of coups and attempted coups. Talon, who became president in 2016, is due to finish his second and final term in 2026, as set by the constitution. The main opposition party has been barred from competing to succeed him, leaving the ruling party to face a more moderate opposition group.
Talon, aged 67, is a former businessman known as the “cotton king” of Cotonou. He is praised for improving Benin’s economy but is often criticised by opponents who say he rules in an authoritarian way.
