NAF Confirms Operation To Foil Coup In Benin
NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame
The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has confirmed carrying an operation in Beni Republic where soldiers attempted to overthrow the elected government of President Patrice Talon.
There were unconfirmed repirts earlier that the Nigerian Air Force had deployed fighter jets to restore democratic order in the neighbouring country.
The reports had claimed that the Nigerian fighter jets launched airstrikes against the Togbin military base in Cotonou, capital of Benin Republic, where the mutineers are believed to be from.
The AFP quoted NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed that the Nigerian Air Force conducted operations in Benin.
“The Nigerian Air Force has operated in the Republic of Benin in line with ECOWAS protocols and the ECOWAS Standby Force mandate,” AFP quoted him to have said, without giving further details.
The Syndicate reports that a group of soldiers had early Sunday morning appeared on Benin’s state television announcing the dissolution of the government.
The mutineers, who seized the National TV after failing to enter President Talon’s residence, declared the removal of President Talon, who has led the country since 2016, along with the suspension of all state institutions.
Identifying themselves as members of the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), the mutineers announced the suspension of the constitution and closure of all land borders and the country’s airspace, and announced Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri Pascal as head of a military transition council.
The government, however, announced shortly after that the coup had been foiled.
Amid the confusion that followed the announcement of a coup in Benin, The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had said it could deploy its regional standby force to defend the West African country, if necessary.
It pledged to support the government and people of Benin Republic in all forms necessary, including military deployment in the country to defend the country’s constitution and territorial integrity.
“ECOWAS Commission has received with consternation reports of an attempted military take-over in the Republic of Benin. ECOWAS strongly condemns this unconstitutional move that represents a subversion of the will of the people of Benin.”
“ECOWAS will support the government and the people in all forms necessary, including the deployment of the regional standby force, to defend the constitution and the territorial integrity of Benin,” the statement said.
