The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Nigeria’s military action in Benin Republic is proof of the President’s firm stance on defending democracy and strengthening national security.
Onanuga made the statement on Monday during an interview on Arise Television monitored.
He said Nigeria’s response to last week’s attempted coup in Benin was swift, coordinated and carried out strictly at the request of the Beninese authorities.
“What happened on Sunday and what happened today only showed that this government is committed to protecting democracy, not just in Nigeria, but also among our neighbours.
“And what you have also seen in the release of the Papiri children is that our security people, the armed forces, the air force, the ground troops, they are up to the task of helping to protect this country,” he said.
According to him, President Patrice Talon personally sought Nigeria’s help when the coup attempt began.
“The government of Benin, President Talon’s government, sent two notifications to Nigeria, actually in quick succession, because the first one was that Nigeria should send fighter jets to help them dislodge the coup plotters. And after that was done, they again requested ground troops,” he said.
The presidential aide further stated that the intervention was consistent with ECOWAS rules and with Tinubu’s long-held commitment to safeguarding democratic governance across West Africa.
