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BREAKING: Nigerian Senate Approves President Tinubu’s Request for Military Deployment to Benin Republic

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The Nigerian Senate has swiftly approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy troops to the Republic of Benin on a peacekeeping mission, aimed at restoring stability following a foiled coup attempt in the neighboring country.

The decision was announced during Tuesday’s plenary session after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s formal letter, which invoked Section 5(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and consultations with the National Defence Council.

The chamber immediately resolved into a Committee of the Whole for deliberations, leading to a unanimous vote of approval with lawmakers responding “aye.”

In the letter, titled “Deployment of Nigerian Troops to the Republic of Benin for Peace Mission,” Tinubu highlighted the urgent need for intervention amid an “attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and disruption and destabilisation of democratic institutions” in Benin.

He emphasized Nigeria’s historical ties of brotherhood with Benin and its obligations under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to promote collective security.

The move follows a dramatic coup bid on Sunday, when rogue soldiers briefly seized a television station in Cotonou, Benin’s economic capital, declaring President Patrice Talon removed from office.

The plotters, styling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” were quickly repelled by loyal forces, with several arrests made. Nigeria had already provided emergency support, including fighter jets, at Benin’s request to thwart the incursion.

ECOWAS has since ordered the deployment of its Standby Force, comprising troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, to bolster regional stability.

Tinubu’s request aligns with this framework, underscoring the potential risks to Nigeria, including refugee influxes across shared borders and heightened criminality if instability persists.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) moved for urgent consideration, while Akpabio praised the president’s adherence to constitutional protocols.

“Injury to one is injury to all,” Akpabio stated, noting the mission’s role in safeguarding democracy and preventing broader threats to Nigeria’s borders. A formal letter of consent will be transmitted to Tinubu immediately, clearing the path for full operational deployment.

The approval comes amid a wave of instability in West Africa, with recent coups in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Bissau raising alarms about democratic backsliding in the region. Analysts view Nigeria’s involvement as a critical test of Tinubu’s leadership in ECOWAS, where he serves as chairman.

Reactions from opposition lawmakers were muted during the session, with the focus on swift action to avert escalation. Defence Headquarters is expected to outline operational details soon, as Nigerian forces prepare to join the multinational effort.

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National grid collapses again

Distribution load figures released at 3:12 p.m. on December 29, 2025, showed that electricity supply to the country’s power distribution companies fell drastically, indicating a widespread system failure.

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The national electricity grid collapsed again this afternoon with power supply across most parts of the country dropping to near zero.

Distribution load figures released at 3:12 p.m. on December 29, 2025, showed that electricity supply to the country’s power distribution companies fell drastically, indicating a widespread system failure.

Data from the Distribution Companies (DisCos) revealed that only two operators received electricity at the time of the collapse. Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company recorded a load of 30 megawatts (MW), while Abuja Electricity Distribution Company received 20 MW.

All other DisCos were allocated zero megawatts. Benin, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt and Yola electricity distribution companies all recorded 0 MW, pointing to a nationwide outage affecting major cities and regions.

In total, electricity distributed nationwide stood at just 50 MW, far below normal

normal operating levels and grossly insufficient to sustain power supply to homes, businesses and critical services across the country.

The latest incident adds to a series of grid collapses recorded in recent years, which have often resulted in nationwide blackouts and prolonged efforts to restore electricity supply.

The recurring failures have continued to raise concerns about the fragility of Nigeria’s power infrastructure and the reliability of the national grid.

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Anthony Joshua’s accident caused by over speeding – FRSC

The FRSC Ogun Sector Command revealed that five adult males were involved in the crash., adding that two of the occupants who died on the spot were foreign nationals.

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Photo: FRSC officials at the scene of the accident. Credit: FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps has confirmed that excessive speed and wrongful overtaking led to the crash involving British-Nigerian boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Monday.

The Corps Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, disclosed stated that the Lexus Jeep, which was suspected to be travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit on the corridor, lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into a stationary truck well packed by the side of the road.

The FRSC Ogun Sector Command revealed that five adult males were involved in the crash., adding that two of the occupants who died on the spot were foreign nationals.

Their remains have since been deposited at the Livewell Morgue in Sagamu.

Joshua and the driver of the vehicle were rescued by security personnel attached to his convoy and taken to a hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention.

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JUST IN: Anthony Joshua escapes death in Ogun auto crash

An eyewitness disclosed that there were four occupants in the Lexus at the time of the crash, with Joshua seated behind the driver. While the boxer sustained minor injuries, two occupants of the vehicle reportedly died on the spot.

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World heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, narrowly escaped death on Monday after being involved in a road accident along the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway at Makun area of Ogun State.

Eyewitnesses said the accident occurred at about 11:00 a.m., just before Danco Filling Station, Makun, inward the Sagamu Interchange on the Ibadan axis of the expressway.

Joshua was reportedly travelling in a Lexus SUV with registration number KRD 850 HN, which collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are yet to be fully ascertained.

The Lexus was said to be part of a two-vehicle convoy, alongside a Pajero SUV conveying his security detail.

The Lexus was said to be part of a two-vehicle convoy, alongside a Pajero SUV conveying his security detail.

An eyewitness disclosed that there were four occupants in the Lexus at the time of the crash, with Joshua seated behind the driver. While the boxer sustained minor injuries, two occupants of the vehicle reportedly died on the spot.

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