The Senate on Tuesday approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin as part of a peace mission aimed at restoring democratic order and stabilising the country after a recent coup attempt. The approval came after the upper chamber considered the President’s request in the Committee of the Whole during plenary.
Lawmakers reviewed the situation in Benin Republic and Nigeria’s obligations within the West African region before giving their unanimous backing. President Tinubu, in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urged the Senate to support the deployment, noting that the attempted overthrow of Benin’s democratic government posed a threat not only to the country but to the stability of the entire West African sub-region.
He stressed that Nigeria, as a leading member of ECOWAS and a champion of democratic governance, had a responsibility to help its neighbour restore constitutional rule. The President explained that the troop deployment would form part of a coordinated regional peacekeeping effort to restore calm, protect civilians, and prevent the crisis from escalating.
Senators who spoke during deliberations emphasised the importance of safeguarding democracy across the region, while also calling for adequate logistical support, clear operational guidelines, and strong diplomatic backing for Nigerian forces participating in the mission. With the approval secured, preparations are expected to commence for the mobilisation of troops, who will work alongside regional partners to stabilise the situation in Benin.
The Senate reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional security, stressing that the nation must continue to play a proactive role in defending democratic values and preventing conflicts from threatening the peace and development of West Africa.
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