Nigeria Leads ECOWAS in Foiling Benin Coup Attempt

Nigeria’s Decisive Action Against Benin Coup Attempt

In a bold display of regional leadership, Nigeria, alongside the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), moved swiftly to thwart a coup attempt in Benin on December 7, 2025. Within hours of mutinous soldiers declaring they had seized power, the Nigerian government scrambled military jets and dispatched ground troops to counter the insurgents. This intervention marked the first military operation conducted under ECOWAS’s 1999 protocol, which authorizes the use of force to safeguard democracy and good governance within the bloc.

Troops from other ECOWAS member nations soon joined the Nigerian forces to bolster the administration of Benin’s President Patrice Talon. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu emphasized that the deployment was conducted at the explicit request of the Benin leader. According to Nigerian officials, President Talon first requested aerial support and shortly after sought ground assistance to subdue the mutineers, led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri. The operation aimed to neutralize the coup plotters while minimizing civilian casualties.

Why Benin’s Stability Matters to West Africa

The failed coup attempt sheds light on the growing instability in West Africa, often referred to as the region’s “coup belt,” encompassing nations like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The political turmoil is further exacerbated by escalating jihadist activities in the Sahel, which have recently spilled into northern Benin. Militants have exploited this unrest to justify seizing power, often citing insufficient recognition of military sacrifices by existing governments. Similar grievances were voiced by the mutineers who opposed Talon’s administration.

President Patrice Talon, elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2021, has overseen significant infrastructure growth, with Benin achieving an impressive GDP growth rate of 7.5% in 2024. However, his tenure has not been without controversy. Opposition parties accuse Talon of implementing restrictive electoral reforms that marginalized dissenting voices, consolidating power in favor of his ruling party. Critics argue that this political suppression has left the military as the only viable opposition in the nation.

ECOWAS and Nigeria’s Commitment to Regional Peace

General Chris Musa, Nigeria’s Minister of Defense, commended the swift response of the Nigerian Armed Forces in ensuring the coup’s failure and reaffirmed the country’s resolve to support regional allies against threats to democratic governance. “Our armed forces must consistently demonstrate readiness to counter any threat, whether directed at Nigeria or our neighbors,” Musa stated during a press conference in Abuja.

Still, the operation did not unfold without complications. A Nigerian military aircraft en route to Portugal made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso, a nation that severed ties with ECOWAS earlier in 2025. The unscheduled landing briefly triggered a diplomatic row, with Burkina Faso labeling the incident “unfriendly.” However, the situation was subsequently de-escalated, and all crew members and passengers onboard were released.

Implications for West African Security

The coup attempt in Benin underscores the rising political costs of insecurity in West Africa, where jihadist insurgencies and fragile democracies threaten regional cohesion. Nigeria’s leadership in mobilizing ECOWAS forces highlights its growing role as a stabilizing force in the region. However, it also brings attention to the underlying issues of governance and social inequality that fuel such coups.

In an era of increasing instability, ensuring peace and promoting democratic values remains paramount. Stakeholders across West Africa will need to address these challenges collectively while empowering institutions like ECOWAS to act decisively when democracy is under threat.