Benin’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Olushegun Bakari, has revealed that his country turned to Nigeria and other ECOWAS partners for rapid military assistance to suppress Sunday’s attempted coup against President Patrice Talon.
Speaking in Abuja during the ECOWAS Council of Ministers meeting on Thursday, the minister said the swift reaction from Nigeria and fellow West African states was instrumental in preventing what could have become a deadly confrontation in Cotonou.
According to him, although Benin’s forces repelled the insurgents early, the support from Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone helped avert a more violent clash in a densely populated area where the rebels had taken cover.
He explained that the request for intervention was made under ECOWAS security protocols to ensure that the operation did not escalate into a civilian tragedy.
“We wanted to show that democracy still stands strong in our region and that attacks on constitutional order will not be tolerated,” he told journalists after the meeting.
Bakari noted that despite Benin’s military gaining the upper hand, the insurgents had retreated into a barracks located close to residential neighbourhoods, making the situation delicate.
Gratitude was extended to President Bola Tinubu and other ECOWAS leaders for responding immediately and stopping the crisis from spreading beyond control.
Support from regional forces, he said, helped prevent the rebels from accessing strategic assets such as the airport and ensured the threat was neutralised with minimal casualties.
Bakari explained that the reinforcements provided by ECOWAS enabled Benin to adopt a precise approach rather than launch a large-scale assault that could have endangered civilians.
The minister stressed that President Talon specifically sought Nigeria’s assistance to disable heavy equipment the rebels had positioned inside the barracks.
Reflecting on the episode, Bakari highlighted the resilience of Benin’s military, describing it as a republican force committed to defending democratic order even when outnumbered.
He also underlined the broader message of regional unity, saying Benin and Nigeria demonstrated that West African states can collectively safeguard democracy against any attempt to undermine it.
“We have proved that working together strengthens our ability to protect democratic governance in the sub-region,” he added.
