President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a statement on Sunday while praising the gallantry effort of Nigerian armed forces, disclosed he had sent the troops to the Republic of Benin upon request by their government to save its 35-year-old democracy from coup plotters.
According to presidency: “The Republic of Benin, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a Note Verbal, requested immediate Nigerian air support “in view of the urgency and seriousness of the situation and to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.”
The Benin government also requested Nigerian ground forces, “strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority in support of the protection of constitutional institutions and the containment of armed Groups.”
Pledging solidarity with the neighbouring country despite rising terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria, Tinubu approved order confirming it in a statement while praising successful completion of thwarting the coup.
In his words: “on my orders, the Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as a defender and protector of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin on the invitation of the government.
“Our armed forces acted within the ambit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
“They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and have made us proud of their commitment to sustaining our democratic values and ideals since 1999.
“Nigeria stands firmly with the government and people of the Republic of Benin.” Tinubu pledged
However, the president’s statement drew criticism from citizens, with many wondering why he can’t apply the same energy used in deploying troops to the neighbouring country to crises filled zones in Nigeria.
An abroad Nigerian influencer UnkleAyo mocked: “Hopefully we can be thankful of the United States forces for gallantly defending and protecting our constitutional order, in the future. Your deliberate ineptitude, as confirmed today – when external forces forcefully mediate, I hope you can tweet in thanks to them.”
Another netizen pointed out: “Mr President, the same speed used to deploy troops to Benin within hours is exactly what millions of Nigerians have been begging for in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Borno and other states terrorised daily by bandits and insurgents. When will Nigeria get the same urgency that Benin just received?” He queried.
A citizen condemned his administration stating: “How you played into the hand of the United States. You’ve set a bad precedent for yourself as well as defining the rule of engagement. When the time comes, France will be incapable of helping you. You lack self-awareness. It’s a matter of time.”
Terrorism in Nigeria is a severe threat driven by groups like ISIS-West Africa, Boko Haram, with significant violence from criminal gangs (“bandits”) in the Northwest and separatist attacks in the Southeast, impacting civilians through mass kidnappings, killings, and instability, fueled by poverty, governance issues, and religious conflict, requiring comprehensive government and international responses.
In the past month alone, at least 325 children and staff have been kidnapped in two school attacks, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of students and schools, worsening school-safety crisis that has put the lives and wellbeing of students at grave risk.
By: Adeoye Olorunseun Elizbeth