…As Senate confirms Tinubu’s request to deploy troops to Benin
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) yesterday declared a region-wide state of emergency following a fresh wave of coups and attempted power grabs that has shaken political stability across West Africa, culminating most recently in Sunday’s foiled mutiny in Benin Republic.
The announcement was made by ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Alieu Touray, during the 55th session of the Mediation and Security Council at ministerial level, held in Abuja yesterday.
Touray said the escalating pattern of unconstitutional changes of government — from Mali and Burkina Faso to Guinea and Niger — had reached a critical point, describing it as a “grave threat to peace and democratic governance” that demands urgent, collective action.
According to him, the region must “reflect deeply on the future of our democracy and strengthen the security of our community,” as ECOWAS prepares to roll out new measures under the emergency framework. An extraordinary summit is expected in the coming weeks to consider tougher sanctions, standby force deployments, and accelerated reforms to the bloc’s governance protocols.
The urgency of the declaration was underscored by the dramatic events in Benin Republic, where a faction of soldiers calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation launched a sudden coup attempt on Sunday. The mutineers stormed the state broadcaster, dissolved the government on air, and claimed to have suspended the constitution after a failed assault on President Patrice Talon’s residence in Cotonou.
Borders were sealed, political activities frozen, and confusion swept the country as reports conflicted over who controlled key institutions. Loyalist forces, however, mounted a swift counter-operation, regaining strategic locations by late Sunday. Fourteen mutineers were arrested while others fled. Two top military officers – Chief of Army Staff Abou Issa and Army Chief Faizou Gomina – were briefly taken hostage but freed on Monday following coordinated operations reportedly supported by Nigerian security assets.
As the situation deteriorated, Benin formally requested “exceptional and immediate air support” from Nigeria. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu consulted the National Defence Council before seeking Senate approval to deploy Nigerian troops and air assets to assist in containing the mutiny.
The Senate, led by President Godswill Akpabio, granted expeditious approval yesterday, pursuant to Section 5(5), Part 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Nigerian forces are now supporting stabilisation efforts as ECOWAS moves to enforce regional security protocols under the newly declared state of emergency.
