The Nigerian Army has confirmed that troops were deployed to the Republic of Benin in April 2026 as a proactive measure to bolster democratic stability and prevent any breakdown of law and order during the country's election period.
Official Statement
According to a statement released by Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the deployment was carried out on the directive of President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under the codename Operation Atilehin Alafiya II. The mission aimed to safeguard the electoral process and ensure a peaceful transfer of power to the newly elected President, Romuald Wadagni.
Role of Troops
Colonel Anele clarified that while troops were not directly assigned election duties, they were strategically positioned to provide a stabilizing presence before, during, and after the electoral process. The deployment was intended to deter potential security threats, reinforce public confidence, and support a peaceful democratic transition, in line with Nigeria's commitment to regional peace and cooperation.
The troops maintained a high level of operational readiness throughout their stay, conducting patrols, monitoring key locations, and sustaining a visible security presence across critical areas within the Cotonou metropolis and its surroundings.
Regional Leadership
The successful execution of the mission underscores the Nigerian Army's capacity for rapid deployment, operational professionalism, and readiness to support regional peace initiatives. It highlights Nigeria's leadership role in promoting democratic governance and stability within the West African sub-region.
Colonel Anele reaffirmed the Army's commitment to working collaboratively with regional partners and relevant stakeholders to ensure a secure and peaceful environment across the region, in alignment with the objectives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
