Nigerian Airstrikes Thwart Benin Coup Attempt

Nigerian fighter jets launched airstrikes to prevent a coup attempt in Benin, where mutinous soldiers tried to capture President Patrice Talon. Nigeria's intervention aimed to maintain stability in the region, as Benin plays a crucial role as a trade hub in West Africa, especially amidst fears of escalating violence.

Nigerian fighter jets launched decisive airstrikes to thwart a coup attempt in Benin, according to Benin's government on Monday. During the bid, mutinying soldiers sought to seize President Patrice Talon and managed to kidnap two senior military officials, who were later released.

The Nigerian government acknowledged deploying fighter jets and ground troops to its smaller neighbor, aiming to prevent a political crisis in a region grappling with jihadist threats and crucial trade routes. This marked Nigeria's first foreign military intervention in nearly ten years, rooted in concerns about potential spillover of violence.

Nigeria last intervened abroad in The Gambia in 2017 under similar political turmoil, but recent African coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger saw less forceful responses. The latest incident reveals Nigeria's stance against power upheavals, advocating for a return to constitutional order, as seen after the Guinea-Bissau coup.