Further to its earlier statement on the Republic of Benin, the ECOWAS Commission hereby informs the general public that : Persuant to the provisions of relevant ECOWAS instruments, in particular Article 25(e) of the 1999 Protocol Relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution Peacekeeping and Security, and after consultation among members of the Mediation and Security Council at …

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the gallantry of Nigeria’s military on Sunday for responding swiftly to the request by the Government of Benin Republic to save its 35-year-old democracy from coup plotters who struck at dawn today. Acting on two separate requests from the Government of Benin, President Tinubu first ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter the …

Explosions and sporadic gunfire were reported on Sunday morning at Tignon Barracks, located about six kilometres from Cotonou Airport in Benin, after soldiers involved in an attempted coup allegedly barricaded themselves inside the military facility, Casus Belli, an investigator, has revealed. According to Belli, local informants reported that several officers involved in the mutiny, upon realising that the operation had …

Authorities in Benin have, however, arrested several other members of the group after defence and security forces successfully thwarted the attempted coup. Colonel Pascal Tigri, identified as the leader of the mutineers who briefly seized Benin Republic’s national television station on Sunday, is currently on the run, according to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Nigeria’s President …

Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has issued a sharp challenge to Nigeria’s elite, urging them to divert funds currently spent on luxury items like Rolls-Royce cars and private jets into establishing industries that stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities. Speaking to correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa on Friday, Dangote lamented …

The Nigerian Army has ordered the immediate withdrawal of all military personnel allegedly attached to Chief Idowu Asonja, the Ondo State coordinator of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, following SaharaReporters’ report exposing the use of soldiers as private escorts and instruments of intimidation. Multiple security sources confirmed that the directive came directly from the Chief of Army Staff, with strict …

{The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come under renewed scrutiny following fresh revelations about billions of naira allegedly unaccounted for during the procurement of materials for the 2019 general elections. Rights group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has asked the new INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to immediately explain what happened to ₦55.9 billion reportedly released for …

The Nigerian military has deployed fighter aircraft to the Benin Republic following Sunday’s military coup that toppled President Patrice Talon, reliable security sources have confirmed. The aircraft, which took off from Lagos earlier on Sunday, were sighted operating within Beninese airspace as Nigeria intensifies surveillance and monitoring of the rapidly evolving political and security situation in the neighbouring country. Sources …

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on Peter Obi to decide whether he is part of the coalition, adding that zoning ahead of the 2027 election is not an option. The development comes after Obi said the ADC-led coalition was “faltering” due to unresolved issues over zoning and the rotation of key political offices. In his reaction, ADC spokesperson, …

A group of soldiers on Sunday appeared on Benin’s state television announcing the dissolution of the government in what seemed to be a coup in the West African country. The soldiers declared the removal of President Patrice Talon, who has led the country since 2016, along with the suspension of all state institutions. Identifying themselves as members of the “Military …

{Senate President Chief Godswill Akpabio has clarified that the fresh persistence use of social media led to his bringing N40Bn defamation suit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. In a statement issued by his media office, the Senate President said contrary to the claims of Kogi state senator, the suit was instituted more than three months ago but was not made public …

New details have emerged regarding the unexpected resignation of former Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down on Monday after two years in office, citing health-related concerns. Following his exit, President Bola Tinubu on Thursday swore in former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd.), as the new Minister of Defence. Badaru’s departure comes amid months of pressure …

The Nigeria Police Force has deployed a Special Enforcement Team to ensure full compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s directive prohibiting the use of police personnel for Very Important Persons’ escort and guard duties. In a statement released on Saturday via the Force’s X handle, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the team commenced a statewide monitoring operation …

National Security Adviser NSA Malam Nuhu Ribadu has revealed that Nigeria is now receiving international support in its fight against insurgents and terrorists that are waging war on the country. Ribadu named some of the countries lending support to Nigeria as the United States of America, France and Britain. Speaking when he led a federal government delegation to pay a …

The jet crashed at NAF Base in Kainji, Niger State shortly after take-off. It was learnt that the aircraft developed an emergency. The development, according to sources, prompted the pilots to act swiftly. Ehimen Ejodame, the spokesman of NAF, confirmed the development in a statement on Saturday. “They expertly manoeuvred the aircraft away from populated areas before executing a safe …