Tinubu Writes Senate, Seeks Approval to Deploy Nigerian Troops to the Benin Republic

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has requested that the Senate approve the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin as part of a peace support mission following a recent failed coup attempt in the neighbouring country.

The President’s request was conveyed in a formal communication to the upper chamber on Tuesday.

According to the letter read by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the deployment is being undertaken at the request of Beninese President Patrice Talon and is consistent with ECOWAS protocols guiding regional security cooperation.

Tinubu explained that the action also aligns with Section 30(5) of the Nigerian Constitution, which requires consultation with the National Defence Council before committing troops to external operations.

The Senate referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for immediate consideration.

Nigeria had earlier provided air support to the Benin Republic in response to the attempted unconstitutional takeover, as part of its obligations to safeguard democratic stability within the ECOWAS sub-region.