As part of efforts to help restore calm and stability after last weekend’s attempted military takeover Republic of Benin, the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, 9 December, 2025 approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to send Nigerian troops to the country.
The Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday, 9 December, 2025 announced the endorsement during plenary, following a review of the President’s letter in the Committee of the Whole, in accordance with Section 5, Part II of the Constitution, Channels reports.
Lawmakers voted unanimously to support the deployment, effectively granting parliamentary authorisation for the regional security mission.
Akpabio, who hailed the resolution as timely, added that unrest in any neighbouring country could easily destabilise the wider region.
“An injury to one is an injury to all,” the Senate President said, just as he also added that Nigeria has an obligation to stand with its partners under the Economic Community of West African States framework.
The Senate is expected to immediately forward its formal approval to Tinubu.
Thegazellenews.com recalled that Tinubu, in his letter to the Upper Chamber, had requested permission for the deployment, noting that Nigeria bears a historic responsibility to assist Benin under existing ECOWAS security arrangements.
He warned that the situation requires “urgent external intervention” to prevent further deterioration.
The attempted coup in Benin occurred on Sunday, 7 December, 2025 when a faction of soldiers identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” appeared on national television to declare that they had resolved that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as President of the Republic”.
The move was swiftly contained; as Benin’s loyal military forces pushed back and reclaimed control.
After the failed coup attempt, ECOWAS quickly announced plans to deploy its standby force.
“After consultation among members of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, the Chair of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has ordered the deployment of elements of the ECOWAS Standby Force to the Republic of Benin with immediate effect,” the bloc stated.
“The Regional Force shall be made up of troops from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, and the Republic of Ghana.
“The Force shall support the Government and the Republican Army of Benin to preserve constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Benin”.
