Benin Republic says it requested Nigeria’s military intervention to avert casualties

The government of Benin Republic has confirmed that it requested Nigeria’s military intervention to stop what it warned could have escalated into “massive casualties” during last week’s attempted advance by Royalist forces.

Olushegun Bakari, Benin’s Foreign Minister, was speaking during a joint press conference on the sideline at the 95th ECOWAS Council of Ministers Meeting in Abuja on Thursday, ending days of speculation over the legality and motive of Nigeria’s involvement, which saw air assets and ECOWAS-backed units deployed to stabilise Cotonou.

Bakari said President Patrice Talon sought Nigeria’s support after security assessments showed that confronting the armed group alone could have triggered extensive civilian harm due to the strategic location of the assailants.

However, calm is gradually returning to Benin Republic following the December 7 failed coup attempt, which saw soldiers seize the state broadcaster and briefly declare the suspension of the constitution, plunged parts of Cotonou into panic and triggered a rapid response from regional allies.

Read also:What to know as Nigeria pushes forward on military deployment to Benin Republic

Addressing journalists, Foreign Minister stressed that contrary to speculation, the deployment of Nigerian and other ECOWAS troops was not an unsolicited action nor a reflection of weakness within Benin’s military.

He explained that Benin formally reached out to Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Ghana in line with ECOWAS protocols after evaluating the severity of the threat posed by Royalist fighters.

According to him, although Benin’s armed forces had already countered the initial assault on key institutions, the mutineers’ position risked triggering heavy civilian casualties if the country acted alone.

“Talon therefore opted for coordinated regional support to avoid escalated violence. He noted that Nigeria responded swiftly and strictly in line with Benin’s official request.

“The intervention of Nigeria was a response to the request of the Beninese authorities,” Bakari said, underscoring that the joint operation demonstrated ECOWAS unity and the region’s shared commitment to protecting democratic governance.

Read also: Benin Republic foils apparent coup attempt, government says

He expressed gratitude to Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s President other ECOWAS leaders, and the Nigerian people for what he described as a decisive show of solidarity aimed at halting the spread of coups across West Africa.

He also highlighted the longstanding diplomatic, military, and intelligence cooperation between both countries as a key factor behind the seamless intervention.

The attempted coup unfolded when soldiers stormed the state broadcaster in the early hours of December 7, announcing the removal of President Talon and urging citizens to embrace a “new direction.”

The broadcast, delivered by Pascal Tigri, was swiftly cut short as loyalist forces retook the facility and arrested 14 individuals linked to the mutiny.

Residents reported sporadic gunfire near government buildings before security forces restored control.

In a national address later that day, Talon praised the discipline of loyalist troops, saying their rapid mobilisation helped “clear the last pockets of resistance” and prevented what could have been a national disaster.

He vowed that those responsible for the uprising would face the full force of the law.

Nigeria, which shares a long and porous border with Benin, said it closely monitored the unrest due to fears of instability spilling into its territory.

In a post on X br @Breny, calm has returned to the skies over Cotonou after a tense period of military activity, as all visible Nigerian Air Force aircraft that was delayed in operations over Benin Republic have now returned to Nigeria.

The account noted that the Nigerian Air Force intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft, previously seen circling strategic locations, was observed heading north, likely returning to base..

“A French aircraft previously tracked over the area also disappeared from radar”, @Brent wrote.

Regional institutions condemn the coup attempt as Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on unconstitutional power grabs, while the African Union warned that military interference violates continental norms and endangers wider stability.

Nigeria also defended its involvement as Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs said Nigeria had a responsibility to act.

“We cannot stand idly by and watch tension escalate in Benin Republic. We already have crises in the North-East, and we cannot afford another one erupting in the west”, he said.