Senate Approves Tinubu’s Request to Deploy Nigerian Troops to Benin

The Senate has given approval for President Bola Tinubu to deploy Nigerian troops and air support to the Republic of Benin.

The decision follows a request from Benin’s government for assistance in protecting its democratic institutions after a failed military coup over the weekend.

During Tuesday’s plenary, senators in the Committee of the Whole unanimously endorsed the deployment through a voice vote.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read a letter from President Tinubu, explaining that the peace mission aligns with Section 5(4), Part II of the 1999 Constitution and comes after consultations with the National Defence Council.

Tinubu emphasised that the deployment is in direct response to Benin’s appeal for urgent military support to stabilise the situation and safeguard the nation’s democratic structures.