The Nigerian military has deployed fighter aircraft to
the Benin Republic following Sunday’s coup that ousted President Patrice
Talon, highly placed security sources have confirmed.
The aircraft, which departed from Lagos earlier
on Sunday, were sighted operating within Beninese airspace as Nigeria heightens
surveillance over the rapidly unfolding political and security crisis in its
western neighbour.
Speaking to Zagazola Makama, reliable military
insiders said the deployment is a precautionary and strategic operation,
aimed at assessing regional security risks and safeguarding Nigeria’s national
interests.
A senior security official said:
“The aircraft have already arrived in Benin Republic.
Nigeria is closely monitoring developments and evaluating potential risks.
This is not an offensive mission, but a strategic response to the uncertainty
in Cotonou.”
Coup Led by Lt. Pascal Tigri
The takeover in Benin was executed by Lt. Pascal
Tigri, who announced the dissolution of all state institutions and declared
full military control of the country. The development marks another entry in
the growing list of unconstitutional changes of government across West Africa.
The coup leaders, operating under the name Military
Committee for Rebuilding, issued a statement declaring:
Nigeria on High Alert
Nigeria shares a long and porous border with Benin,
making instability in the country a direct national security concern for
Abuja. Military and intelligence agencies fear potential spillover effects,
including refugee flows, arms trafficking, and militant infiltration.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian
government has not released an official statement on the coup. However,
military sources say aerial surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations
will continue “until the situation becomes clearer.”
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