Military action in Benin Republic shows Tinubu’s commitment to democracy – Onanuga

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Credit: Daily Trust

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The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, says Nigeria’s military action in Benin Republic and the successful rescue of 100 abducted students in Niger State underscore President Bola Tinubu’s firm stance on defending democracy and strengthening national security.

Speaking during an interview with Arise News on Monday night, Onanuga said Nigeria’s response to last week’s attempted coup in Benin was swift, coordinated and carried out strictly at the request of the Beninese authorities.

“What happened on Sunday and what happened today only showed that this government is committed to protecting democracy, not just in Nigeria, but also among our neighbours.

“And what you have also seen in the release of the Papiri children is that our security people, the armed forces, the air force, the ground troops, they are up to the task of helping to protect this country,” he said.

He explained that President Patrice Talon personally sought Nigeria’s help when the coup attempt began.

“The government of Benin, President Talon’s government, sent two notifications to Nigeria, actually in quick succession, because the first one was that Nigeria should send fighter jets to help them dislodge the coup plotters. And after that was done, they again requested ground troops,” he said.

Onanuga added that the intervention was consistent with ECOWAS rules and with Tinubu’s long-held commitment to safeguarding democratic governance across West Africa.

“Since he came in in 2023, he’s been the greatest advocate of democracy in the West African sub-region… Whatever command he gave to our military to support Benin is in consonance with that. That is what he believes in,” he said.

Responding to claims that Talon had not publicly recognised Nigeria’s support, the presidential aide insisted there was no ambiguity about the Beninese president’s appreciation.

“I also read some accounts where he acknowledged Nigeria’s support. He needed Nigeria, and it was wise for them to have called on Nigeria to help them.”

He contrasted the situation in Benin with Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorists and bandits, noting that internal security operations are far more complex and delicate.

“The internal war is more of an asymmetric war… You have ragtag bandits and terrorists sometimes holding our people as shields,” he said.

Because of this, he said the military cannot simply replicate the Benin operation domestically.

“You have to be very careful not to go and bomb those they are holding as collateral. It’s different. These are like a guerrilla force. Even the almighty America couldn’t fight guerrillas in Afghanistan,” he explained.

Onanuga confirmed that 100 students abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, had regained freedom and said the government remained focused on rescuing the remaining victims.

“We have wound all of them out. We are hoping the others will soon be released. Security agents are making all kinds of efforts to get those children out,” he said.

Pressed on whether ransom was paid, he declined to give details.

He said, “I don’t know… I don’t want to talk about security people and the way they do their work. All I am aware of is that they got the children out… This is the result that really matters.”

He also refrained from commenting on the legality of ransom payments, saying, “I don’t want to talk about the modus operandi of security people. They have a way of getting results.”

According to him, official records show that more victims remain in captivity.

“The final figure they gave was that 215 students and 12 teachers were abducted… We are grateful that we have 115 students and 12 teachers remaining,” he said.

He said the National Security Adviser had already given an indication of how the rescue operations would proceed.

“The NSA said those children will be released in batches. I’m sure they must have found a way around it… I’m not a security man, I don’t want to talk about security,” he said.

Onanuga dismissed speculation about the identity of the armed groups behind the abductions, saying, “Generally, the people operating along that axis… they are terrorists. Either they belong to Ansaru and all these gangs, or they are just terrorists operating there.”

He also addressed concerns about the President’s directive for the withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs, insisting that implementation was already underway.

“The IG came out to say he has withdrawn them… about 12,000 policemen doing VIP work. I rarely see policemen outside like before,” he said.

He added that many officers still seen with prominent individuals were not conventional police personnel.

“There are those they call spy policemen… They wear police-like uniforms, but they are not really part of the workforce of the Police,” he said.

Onanuga concluded that the administration’s actions both within Nigeria and across the subregion demonstrated capacity and resolve.

He said, “This government is committed to protecting democracy… and our security people are up to the task of helping to protect this country.”

Olugbenga is a fine-grained journalist with over nine years of experience. He loves the smell of a good lead and has a penchant for finding out interesting good reports.

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