Nigeria intervened to stop an attempted coup in the Republic of Benin within 12 hours after a direct request for assistance from the Beninese leadership, according to the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.).
Musa disclosed this while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, where he provided details of Nigeria’s rapid response to the security crisis.
He said the intervention followed a direct appeal from the President of the Republic of Benin to President Bola Tinubu, seeking urgent support to prevent the overthrow of the government.
Responding to questions about whether the Beninese president personally contacted Tinubu, Musa confirmed that the request was made directly at the highest level.
“Yes, yes, of course. For help, definitely,” the defence minister said when asked about the nature of the call.
He explained that the direct communication was necessary, as no military action of that scale could be taken without the approval of Nigeria’s president.
According to Musa, President Tinubu immediately gave the directive for Nigeria’s security forces to respond after receiving the call.
He said the president’s approval was followed by swift coordination with military commanders and the mobilisation of troops.
“It was a direct call. There was no way we could have taken an action without the President’s approval,” Musa said.
He added that once the directive was given, Nigerian troops were deployed quickly and decisively.
“Mr President called and gave the directive, and then we called the troops, and we moved in quickly,” he said.
Musa stated that within 12 hours of the request, Nigerian forces had already secured key areas and neutralised the situation.
He said the speed of the response ensured that the attempted coup did not gain momentum or spread further.
The defence minister revealed that the incident took place on a Sunday morning and was resolved before the end of the same day.
He recalled that he was on his way to church when he was informed about the unfolding situation in Benin.
According to him, the security response was immediate, with coordinated efforts to contain and defeat the threat.
“Just a few weeks ago, we had to step in to stop the coup in the Benin Republic,” Musa said.
He described the intervention as timely and effective, noting that the situation was brought under control by evening.
“We stood there, fought it, and by evening, we had secured the whole place,” he said.
Musa added that Nigerian troops remained in Benin for a short period after the incident to stabilise the area.
He said the forces were in the process of being withdrawn after ensuring that normalcy had been restored.
“Our troops are still there. We were just about pulling them out,” he said.
The defence minister said the successful operation demonstrated Nigeria’s growing military capacity and readiness to support regional stability.
He noted that Nigeria’s ability to respond quickly to security threats in neighbouring countries reflects years of investment in defence and coordination.
According to him, such interventions are crucial for maintaining peace not only in Nigeria but across West Africa.
“So, to tell you the kind of capacities we have and what we can do, we must build our own capacity,” Musa said.
He stressed the importance of strengthening regional security frameworks to prevent instability from spreading across borders.
Musa said Nigeria remains committed to securing its own territory, the wider region, and the African continent.
He described regional cooperation as essential in addressing the increasing security challenges facing many African countries.
The attempted coup in the Republic of Benin was later confirmed by Beninese authorities to have been suppressed.
The incident occurred on December 7, 2025, and was described as short-lived due to the rapid intervention.
Benin has generally been regarded as one of the more stable democracies in West Africa.
However, the attempted overthrow highlighted growing security pressures in the region, where several countries have experienced coups in recent years.
Nigeria’s role in stopping the coup underscores its position as a key security partner within the sub-region.
The intervention also reflects existing defence agreements and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and its neighbours.
Security analysts say such swift responses can help deter future attempts to destabilise elected governments.
Musa’s comments have drawn attention to Nigeria’s increasing involvement in regional security operations.
They also highlight the importance of direct communication between leaders during emergencies.
As West Africa continues to grapple with political instability in some countries, Nigeria’s actions in Benin signal a willingness to act decisively when called upon.
The defence minister said Nigeria would continue to work with neighbouring states to promote peace, stability, and democratic governance across the region.
