Nigeria’s Air Force has carried out precision air operations inside the Republic of Benin in what security officials describe as a coordinated effort to help contain an emerging coup attempt in the neighbouring country.
A senior official in the Nigerian presidency confirmed the development on Sunday, noting that the operation was undertaken with the knowledge and cooperation of Beninese authorities.
The move highlights growing regional concern as West African nations remain on high alert over instability within the sub-region.
When contacted, Air Force spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame stated that the mission aligned with existing ECOWAS protocols and the ECOWAS Standby Force mandate, which permits joint military action in the event of threats against constitutional governance within member states.
“The Nigerian Air Force has operated in the Republic of Benin in line with ECOWAS protocols and the ECOWAS Standby Force mandate,” Ejodame said.
Specific details of the targets hit during the operation were not immediately disclosed, and it remains unclear whether the strikes were aimed at rebel positions, military installations, or strategic locations linked to the suspected plotters.
Benin, regarded as one of West Africa’s more stable democracies, has not previously been at the centre of a major coup scare, making Sunday’s events particularly significant for regional security watchers.
ECOWAS has in recent years adopted a firmer stance against unconstitutional changes of government, following multiple coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea.
Nigeria, as the bloc’s largest military power, has played a central role in enforcement and peacekeeping operations.
Further updates are expected as both governments continue assessments of the situation on the ground.