President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally asked the Senate to approve the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin following an attempted unconstitutional takeover. Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the request on the Senate floor, citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution and consultations with the National Defence Council.

 

The move follows an attack on President Patrice Talon’s residence by a group of soldiers led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, who later appeared on national television declaring himself head of a military committee. Nigeria reportedly deployed fighter jets and ground troops to help foil the attempted coup.