The Senate has granted President Bola Tinubu’s request to send Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin to assist in restoring peace and stability after last weekend’s attempted coup.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the announcement on Tuesday during plenary, following the Committee of the Whole’s review of the request in accordance with Section 5, Part II of the Constitution.
The senators unanimously approved the troop deployment, providing legislative endorsement for the regional security intervention.
Akpabio hailed the decision as a positive move, stressing that instability in any neighboring country threatens the wider region. “An injury to one is an injury to all,” he affirmed.
He emphasized that Nigeria has a duty to support its ECOWAS partners.
The Senate’s approval letter will be sent to President Tinubu without delay.
President Tinubu had written to the Senate requesting approval to deploy troops to the Benin Republic, citing Nigeria’s historical responsibility to support Benin under the existing ECOWAS security frameworks.
The President noted that the situation requires “urgent external intervention” to restore stability and prevent further disorder.
The attempted coup in the Benin Republic took place on Sunday, when certain military personnel declared the ousting of President Patrice Talon.
