Breaking…Tinubu writes Senate, seeks approval to deploy Nigerian troops to Benin Republic

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally asked the Senate to approve the deployment of Nigerian forces to the Republic of Benin for combat and peace-support operations.

The request was contained in a letter read during Tuesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Tinubu explained that the deployment aligns with Section 5(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), noting that the move is necessary to support a neighbouring “sister country” in safeguarding peace and stability.

The President said that deploying the troop was as a result of a request by the Republic of Benin for assistance and considering the close ties of friendship and brotherhood.

It will be recalled that soldiers operating under the “Military Committee for Refoundation”, led by Lt Col Pascal Tigri, briefly seized the state television station in Cotonou on Sunday, announcing the overthrow of President Patrice Talon’s administration, but the coup was thwarted by the intervention of fighter jets and troops deployed in the neighbouring country by President Tinubu.

More details to follow…