The Tinubu Media Volunteers (TMV)has justified President Bola Tinubu’s decision to move swiftly to restore rule of law, constitutional order and democracy in the Republic of Benin after some elements in the country’s military briefly overthrew the democratic government of President Patrice Talon.
The putsch was foiled by the intervention of the Nigerian Air Force and later Nigerian ground forces at the request of the Beninese government.
This request prompted the approval of the President of Nigeria for the Nigerian Air Force to intervene immediately, and they successfully took over the country’s airspace with the coordination of the Beninese government.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Chukwudi Enekwechi, and Secretary, Segun Ogedengbe, the group said Nigeria’s role is a clear pointer to its high profile in the West African sub-region.
The statement read in part: “We laud the gallantry and professionalism of the Nigerian Air Force, which swiftly scrambled fighter jets to the Benin Republic within hours of receiving President Tinubu’s directive.
”Indeed, they made Nigeria and the African region proud that, for the first time, a regional power like Nigeria was able to thwart a violent removal of a democratic government through the barrel of the gun.
”It was not necessarily a major surprise to us, especially as Nigeria is the third strongest military force in Africa, with more than enough firepower to lead a sub-regional force.
”We are therefore glad that the Nigerian Air Force has demonstrated that the black race can, for once, boast of a professional and ready air force, capable of swinging into action at very short notice to stop a coup in a timely and professional manner.”
The group noted that a military junta in the saddle in Benin is capable of causing a destabilising problem in the entire ECOWAS region.
