The Senators voted unanimously in favour, granting legislative backing for the regional security intervention.
The Nigerian Senate has formally approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to send Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin to support efforts to restore peace and stability following last weekend’s attempted coup
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the approval on Tuesday during plenary, after lawmakers deliberated the request in the Committee of the Whole under section 5, Part II of the Constitution.
The Senators voted unanimously in favour, granting legislative backing for the regional security intervention.
Akpabio described the decision as a critical move, emphasising that unrest in a neighbouring country poses risks to the entire West African region.
“An injury to one is an injury to all,” Akpabio said, stressing Nigeria’s duty to support its ECOWAS partners in maintaining regional stability.
The Senate’s consent letter will be transmitted to President Tinubu immediately, clearing the way for the deployment of Nigerian forces to Benin.
SaharaReporters earlier reproted that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) declared a state of emergency across the region, citing escalating political instability marked by a wave of coups and attempted mutinies in recent months.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the president of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, during the 55th session of the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level, held in Abuja.
Touray said the extraordinary step became necessary as the sub-region faces “unprecedented security and political threats,” underscoring that immediate collective action is needed to safeguard democracy and stability.
“The situation requires a coordinated and urgent response. Our region is confronting a disturbing resurgence of coups and attempted mutinies that challenge our collective commitment to constitutional order,” he told delegates at the high-level meeting.
The emergency declaration comes amid growing concerns over political tensions, military takeovers, and deteriorating security conditions in several West African states.
ECOWAS ministers and security chiefs convened to assess the situation and explore measures to strengthen regional cooperation.
Touray emphasised that ECOWAS remains committed to restoring stability through diplomatic engagement, sanctions where necessary, and reinforcement of regional security mechanisms.
Further details on the operational implications of the state of emergency are expected to follow deliberations of the council.