The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has carried out a series of coordinated precision airstr*kes against elements of the recently foiled coup attempt in the Benin Republic, targeting hostile actors attempting to flee Cotonou.
The information, obtained by security analyst Zagazola Makama from reliable security sources, details a rapid and decisive Nigerian military operation executed in coordination with Beninese authorities.
Stopping the Escape
The operation focused on coup plotters who were attempting to flee Cotonou in armored vehicles after loyalist forces moved swiftly to suppress the uprising. Nigerian fighter jets reportedly executed multiple, well-planned str*kes within Benin’s airspace over a 30-minute period.
Sources described the mission as “meticulously planned,” with clear objectives to halt the escape of hostile actors, prevent their regrouping, and support the immediate restoration of stability in coordination with regional partners.
Officials emphasized that the airstr*kes were conducted with the full consent of Beninese authorities and strictly followed international protocols aimed at minimizing unintended harm while maximizing operational effectiveness.
Commitment to Regional Stability
The intervention followed the failed coup attempt led by Lt. Pascal Tigri, who briefly sought to dissolve state institutions and seize control of the military apparatus in the Benin Republic. When the attempted takeover collapsed, several members of the faction attempted to flee southward, triggering Nigeria’s aerial response.
A senior military officer reaffirmed Nigeria’s stance, stating that the Air Force remains fully committed to supporting regional stability and preventing any potential spillover of instability that could threaten neighbouring states.
The operation has been described as one of Nigeria’s most decisive cross-border interventions in recent West African history, reflecting the country’s readiness to act against threats that undermine regional peace. Authorities in both nations are continuing to coordinate follow-up efforts aimed at locating and detaining any remaining coup elements.
