Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval to Deploy Troops to Benin Over Coup Fears
Nigerian troops may soon be formally deployed to the Republic of Benin following a recent appeal from the neighbouring government. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria seeking consent for both air and ground force deployment.
The letter, obtained by PulseNets, comes after a failed coup attempt in Benin, during which mutinous soldiers seized the state television station and briefly claimed the government had been overthrown.
Beninese authorities, PulseNets learnt, had earlier sent a Note Verbal to Nigeria requesting urgent military assistance. The appeal specifically sought immediate air support and the deployment of ground forces, explicitly under Benin’s command, to safeguard constitutional institutions and protect civilians.
Following the appeal, Tinubu reportedly ordered the Nigerian Air Force to secure Benin’s airspace and dispatched ground troops to reinforce loyal forces. The intervention successfully repelled the coup, regained control of the state television station, and restored governmental authority.
Tinubu praised the Nigerian military for their “gallantry” and said the operation strengthened democracy in a neighbouring country.
Nevertheless, legal experts have raised concerns over the move. They told PulseNets that Section 5 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution requires presidential approval from the Senate before deploying armed forces abroad, except under very specific circumstances. Some critics argue that bypassing this approval could amount to an impeachable offence.
Also Read: Macron Backs Tinubu as France Pledges Stronger Security Support Amid Nigeria’s National Emergency
In a related development, a Senate insider spoke to PulseNets, noting that while the President has sent the request, the Constitution allows the legislature up to 14 days to ratify or reject foreign combat operations—a provision often overlooked in public debate.
With the letter now under Senate consideration, attention is focused on how swiftly lawmakers will act.
