The Senate on Tuesday approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops and air assets to the Republic of Benin on a peace support mission.
The approval was granted during plenary after lawmakers, sitting as the Committee of the Whole, unanimously adopted the request through a voice vote.
President Tinubu, in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, explained that the deployment was aimed at protecting democratic institutions in Benin Republic following an attempted military coup over the weekend.
The President noted that the decision was taken in line with Section 5(4), Part II of the 1999 Constitution and after due consultations with the National Defence Council.
According to the letter, the troop deployment followed a formal request from the Beninese government, seeking Nigeria’s support to stabilise the country and prevent a breakdown of constitutional order.
With the Senate’s approval, Nigerian forces are expected to participate in the peace mission to support democracy and regional stability in the neighbouring country.
