Senate on Tuesday gave unanimous legislative approval for the deployment of Nigerian military troops to the neighboring Republic of Benin, a crucial step requested by President Bola Tinubu to support regional stability following an attempted coup in Cotonou over the weekend.
The decision was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary after lawmakers deliberated the request in the Committee of the Whole, providing the necessary constitutional backing for the intervention. The move follows reports of an aborted military takeover against President Patrice Talon.
Speaking on the rationale for the swift approval, Senate President Akpabio emphasized Nigeria’s vested interest in the security of its West African neighbors and its commitment to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
”An injury to one is an injury to all,” Akpabio stated, stressing the imperative for Nigeria to assist its partners in preventing regional unrest.
The Senate’s consent letter is to be transmitted to President Tinubu immediately, officially clearing the way for the deployment of Nigerian forces to help restore peace and order in the country. This action comes as ECOWAS, citing a “disturbing resurgence of coups and attempted mutinies,” declared a state of emergency across the sub-region earlier the same day, underscoring the urgency of collective security efforts.
