In a decisive move that underscores Nigeria’s growing role in regional security, the Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin following last weekend’s attempted coup in the neighbouring country.
The approval, granted on Tuesday during plenary, came after lawmakers deliberated on the president’s request in the Committee of the Whole, acting in accordance with Section 5, Part II of the 1999 Constitution.
Announcing the decision, Senate President Godswill Akpabio revealed that the lawmakers unanimously endorsed the deployment a rare show of unity that signals the gravity of the situation in Benin Republic.
Akpabio described the move as both strategic and necessary, warning that unrest in one West African nation could quickly spill across borders.
“An injury to one is an injury to all,” he stated, emphasising Nigeria’s obligation to support its ECOWAS partners and maintain stability within the region.
Tuesday’s approval follows a formal request submitted earlier by President Tinubu, who expressed concerns over the potential implications of Benin Republic’s instability on the wider sub-region.
With legislative backing now secured, Nigeria is set to join continental efforts aimed at restoring order and preventing further deterioration of security in the affected country.
The development is expected to generate strong regional and international attention as Nigeria once again positions itself at the forefront of West Africa’s peacekeeping response.