The Senate has given swift approval to President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin as part of an emergency peacekeeping operation.
Lawmakers reached the decision on Tuesday after receiving a formal letter from the President seeking consent to send military personnel across the border. The request followed an attempted takeover of power in Cotonou, which the Nigerian leader described as a direct threat to stability in the region.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the communication during plenary, after which the chamber briefly went into a Committee of the Whole. Within minutes, the lawmakers returned to the open session and granted the approval without debate.
In his letter, President Tinubu explained that Benin urgently appealed for assistance following an attempted forceful change of government and disruption of its democratic institutions. He noted that Nigeria has a long standing bond of friendship with Benin and also bears responsibility under regional collective security arrangements.
Tinubu stated that the deployment followed consultations with the National Defence Council and complied with Section 5 subsection 5 of the Constitution. He emphasised that the request was specifically tied to providing immediate air support and related military aid aimed at stabilising the political situation.
The President reminded the Senate that soldiers loyal to a group called the Military Committee for Refoundation had briefly taken over the state television station in Cotonou on Sunday and announced the removal of President Patrice Talon. Their actions were halted after swift military intervention made possible by support from Nigeria.
The Senate’s confirmation now provides the legal backing for the ongoing peace mission in the neighbouring country as efforts continue to restore calm and prevent further unrest.
More details are expected as developments unfold.
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