The Senate has granted approval for President Bola Tinubu’s request to send Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin, supporting efforts to restore peace and stability after the attempted coup that occurred last weekend.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision during Tuesday’s plenary session, following a review of the president’s request by the Committee of the Whole, in accordance with Section 5, Part II of the Constitution.

Lawmakers unanimously endorsed the troop deployment, giving full legislative support to the regional security mission.

Akpabio described the approval as timely and necessary, stressing that unrest in any neighbouring country poses a potential threat to the entire West African region.
“An injury to one is an injury to all,” he said, emphasizing Nigeria’s duty to support its ECOWAS partners.

President Tinubu had earlier written to the Senate seeking authorization for the deployment, noting that Nigeria carries a longstanding responsibility under ECOWAS security protocols to assist Benin. He also warned that the situation required urgent intervention to prevent further escalation.

The attempted coup in Benin occurred on Sunday when a group of soldiers, calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” appeared on national television to announce that President Patrice Talon had been removed from office. Loyalist forces quickly countered the attempt and restored order.

Following the failed coup, ECOWAS directed the immediate activation of its standby force.

According to the regional bloc, the deployment—approved by the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government—will include troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana.

The force is mandated to support the Government and Republican Army of Benin in safeguarding constitutional rule and protecting the country’s territorial integrity.