- Ex-Army Spokesman Backs Nigeria’s Troop Deployment to Benin Republic.
- Senate backs Tinubu’s request, citing constitutional authority for action.
- Ex-army spokesman warns instability in Benin could spill into Nigeria.
Former Nigerian Army spokesperson, Brigadier General Sani Usman (retd.), has backed the Federal Government’s decision to deploy troops to the Benin Republic after the attempted coup in the neighbouring West African country.
He said the intervention was necessary and came at the request of Benin’s authorities.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television on Wednesday, Usman explained that instability in any nearby country could have direct consequences for Nigeria’s security and economy.
He said: “Now, the problem, any slightest problem in any of these countries has corresponding consequences on Nigeria, regardless of the fact that sometimes some of the countries are not even as populous as a state out of the 36 states of the federation.”
He warned that unrest in Benin could trigger humanitarian and economic disruptions.
He said: “Take, for instance, if there is any problem, the issue of a humanitarian problem, for instance. How do we contend with refugees from the Benin Republic? There is also an understanding in terms of commerce, trading, and all the rest of it. It will affect the economy and the rest.”
On Tuesday, the Senate approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy troops, citing Section 5, Part II of the Constitution as the legal backing. Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the action as necessary for regional stability, saying: “An injury to one is an injury to all.”
Critics have questioned the move, arguing that Nigeria should prioritise its internal security concerns. Usman insisted the deployment aims not only to contain the coup attempt but to ensure long-term stability.
He said: “People should understand the reason why there is a need to stabilise democratic governance in that country. Beyond the initial intervention of quelling the coup, there is also a need to stabilise the Benin Republic.”
He also cautioned about growing external interference in Africa, noting that “most of these Western countries are fighting proxy wars on the African continent, especially in the Sahel and all the rest.”
