Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has praised the Armed Forces for their rapid intervention during last Sunday’s attempted coup in the Republic of Benin, stating that their swift and coordinated response was instrumental to the collapse of the plot.
Musa gave the commendation on Wednesday in Abuja during the decoration ceremony for newly promoted senior Army officers. He said the incident underscored the urgent need for Nigeria’s military to maintain a constant state of vigilance, fully prepared to confront emerging threats both within the country and across the West African sub-region.
“Let me at this juncture commend members of the Armed Forces for their swift and professional response to the attempted coup in the Republic of Benin last Sunday. Your prompt action helped ensure that the coup failed,” he said. “This is the standard Nigerians expect, and you must always be ready 24/7 to respond to threats against our nation or our allies.”
The Defence Minister emphasised that modern security challenges require deeper integration across the nation’s military and security architecture. He stressed that no single service can effectively address contemporary threats without the support of others.
READ ALSO: Nigeria flexes military power, enters Benin airspace after coup to defend its national interests
“Jointness and inter-service cooperation are indispensable. These challenges are Nigerian challenges, and we must confront them together with a unity of purpose. Nigerians are watching all of us. They demand results and time is of the essence. We must therefore do things differently and more effectively,” Musa added.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu, also addressed the gathering, reiterating Nigeria’s central role in safeguarding regional peace and stability. He said the responsibility carried by newly promoted officers extends beyond the national level, touching directly on the stability of West Africa.
“We must continue to support regional efforts to deter violent extremism, secure our shared borders and uphold democratic governance. The peace of individual nations directly contributes to the stability of our region,” Shaibu said. He further stressed that the Army’s loyalty to constitutional order and the Nigerian people must remain unshakeable.
Shaibu urged the officers to demonstrate strategic foresight, enhance operational readiness and provide effective leadership. For those who were not promoted, he encouraged patience, noting that military advancement remains strictly merit-based.
The attempted coup in Benin began early Sunday when armed mutineers attacked the presidential residence. Security forces successfully repelled the assault, after which the plotters targeted the national broadcaster, briefly invading the Office de Radiodiffusion et Télévision du Bénin in an effort to seize control of state communications. Their plan ultimately collapsed.
Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu approved the deployment of Nigerian troops to help stabilise Benin, in line with ECOWAS protocols on democracy and good governance.
