Cotonou, Benin – December 6, 2025:** Nigeria has confirmed sending fighter jets and ground troops to neighboring Benin following a coup attempt by mutinous soldiers. President Bola Tinubu said the intervention came after two formal requests from Benin’s President Patrice Talon, including a call for “immediate Nigerian air support.”

Nigerian Military Steps In

According to Tinubu’s office, Nigerian jets first entered Benin airspace to secure key positions, including the state TV station and a military camp occupied by the mutineers. Ground troops were later deployed to assist in protecting constitutional institutions and containing armed groups.

“Our troops have helped stabilize a neighboring country,” Tinubu said, praising their rapid response.

President Patrice Talon confirmed the coup was blocked, stating that loyal security forces “stood firm, recaptured our positions, and cleared the last pockets of resistance.” He vowed that the mutineers would face justice.

Arrests and Uncertainty Over Coup Leaders

As of Sunday, 14 individuals had been arrested, mostly active-duty soldiers, though details of the alleged coup leader, Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, remain unclear. While the mutineers briefly seized the state TV network, Cotonou has returned to relative calm.

Regional Response: ECOWAS and African Union

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union condemned the coup attempt. ECOWAS has mobilized a standby force from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Ghana to support Benin’s government and preserve constitutional order.

Political Context

The attempted coup comes as Benin prepares for presidential elections in April 2026, expected to mark the end of Talon’s term. Last month, Benin adopted a new constitution, creating a Senate and extending presidential terms from five to seven years. Critics called the reforms a power grab, nominating Minister of Economy and Finance Romuald Wadagni as the governing coalition’s candidate.

The opposition Democrats party, founded by Talon’s predecessor Thomas Boni Yayi, had its proposed candidate rejected due to insufficient legislative backing. Experts say coup attempts in Benin and other African nations are partly fueled by governments undermining democratic norms.

“President Talon has accepted to step down, unlike many other leaders extending their mandates,” said Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim, deputy director of the Sahel Project at the International Crisis Group. “However, opposition candidates being invalidated undermines democratic credibility.”