The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a strong condemnation following an attempted military coup in the neighbouring Republic of Benin. The failed plot, which unfolded on Sunday, December 7, 2025, saw a group of soldiers move to forcefully remove President Patrice Talon from office.
FG's Strong Stance Against Destabilisation
In an official statement released on Sunday, Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, expressed the government's grave concern over the events. The statement, delivered by the ministry's spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, described the coup attempt as a direct assault on constitutional order.
Ambassador Tuggar vehemently condemned the actions in the strongest possible terms, characterising Benin as a friendly and brotherly nation. He emphasised that the move was a destabilising act that attacked democracy and the collective will of the Beninese people, who have shown a consistent commitment to peaceful transitions of power.
How the Unrest Unfolded in Benin
The crisis began in the early hours of December 7 with an armed attack on President Patrice Talon's residence in Porto-Novo. The assault was reportedly led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri. Subsequently, troops loyal to him seized control of the national broadcaster.
Footage aired on state television showed uniformed soldiers reading a statement announcing the dissolution of the government. The group, calling itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, declared that President Talon had been "removed from office" and all state institutions dissolved. The president's whereabouts were initially unknown, and the French Embassy reported gunfire near Camp Guezo, close to the official residence, advising its citizens to stay indoors.
A Troubling Trend in West Africa
This incident in Benin comes just weeks after a military takeover disrupted democracy in Guinea-Bissau during its presidential election. This pattern makes Guinea-Bissau the fifth West African nation to experience such a democratic disruption in recent times.
Countries like Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and the Niger Republic are currently under military control, having experienced coups. Nigeria has consistently condemned these unconstitutional changes of government across the region, reaffirming its stance against the use of force to seize power.
The swift reaction from Nigeria's foreign ministry underscores the country's commitment to regional stability and democratic governance within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc.
