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BREAKING: Nigerian Senate Approves President Tinubu’s Request for Military Deployment to Benin Republic
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.
News
ICPC Denies El-Rufai Doctor Access Over Eye Condition
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has again denied former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai access to medical care despite his complaints of swollen, reddish, and itchy eyes.
According to a press statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai’s family drew the attention of ICPC operatives to his deteriorating eye condition and requested a hospital visit. Two officials reportedly inspected his eyes, yet no medical attention or doctor was provided.
The statement alleged that one Henry, believed to be seconded to the ICPC, falsely claimed to a family member that El-Rufai did not wish to see a doctor. This claim was strongly challenged by the family.
El-Rufai was taken to an eye clinic on Thursday, 4 June 2026, but his condition worsened overnight, causing significant discomfort. His wives, who visited him on Friday, expressed alarm at his state.
The statement noted that El-Rufai’s lawyers had already secured a court order for him to have access to his personal doctors, but the ICPC has continued to deny him proper medical treatment.
“ No agency of the government is allowed to be indifferent to the medical condition of a person in their custody,” the statement stressed, urging the ICPC to respect human rights and obey court orders.
News
REPS MINORITY LEADER: AGBESE DENIES ENDORSING UGOCHINYERE
Honourable Philip Agbese alleges that his signature was forged on a document purportedly backing Ugochinyere’s nomination.
The House of Representatives has been thrown into a rowdy session at Thursday’s plenary following fresh controversy over plans to name Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere as Minority Leader
Honourable Philip Agbese alleges that his signature was forged on a document purportedly backing Ugochinyere’s nomination.
The disruption occurred as lawmakers debated the opposition’s vacant Minority Leader position, with Agbese rejecting claims that he endorsed the nomination document reportedly signed by 61 opposition members.
The Benue lawmaker alleged that his signature was included without his consent and demanded an investigation into the matter.
The development comes amid ongoing efforts by opposition lawmakers to secure formal recognition of a new minority leadership structure following the vacancy created by the exit of former Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda.
The dispute could delay the formal announcement of the new minority leader by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
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Sunday Igboho declares himself Invincible, ” Nobody Can Kidnap Me,” Seeks Oyo Govt’s backing to confront bandits
If they are serious about rescuing the victims, they should tell my boys and me to chase them out of the forests in our regions and see if those people will remain there even with their bombs and sophisticated weapons.
• Sunday Igboho
Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho, boasted that “No one can take me or my family captive, as they reside abroad.”
Igboho made the declaration when the newly elected officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students, led by Akinteye Bàbàtunde, visited him at his Ibadan residence.
In a video posted by Wisdom TV, Igboho revealed his willingness to confront the bandits directly but claimed he was met with resistance from the state government.
He insisted that he never sought any financial compensation from the Seyi Makinde administration for the rescue of the 47 kidnapped individuals.
“If I am permitted to burst into the hideouts, they will flee. They are neither gnomes nor mannequins; they are humans, so that they could be dislodged. I know the politicians behind them, and if they do not stop perpetrating their evil acts, I will mention them all. I know them. The politicians behind them are the ones giving them ammunition and money,” said Igboho.
Igboho noted: ” They (Oyo government) informed me that the kidnappers said if I try to force myself to come rescue the children, they will kill them all.
If they are serious about rescuing the victims, they should tell my boys and me to chase them out of the forests in our regions and see if those people will remain there even with their bombs and sophisticated weapons,” he said.
Igboho compared the current political climate to past events, stating, “The same thing they did to Jonathan is what they are doing to Tinubu. They want to make the country ungovernable for him. They even have fake news propaganda to scare the masses and divert supporters away from the President. Suppose the recent abduction is not a game. In Oyo, they made away with children. I volunteered to go, but the state government said ‘No.’”
He went on to recount a warning he received, stating that the kidnappers threatened to kill the children should he attempt a rescue. “If they are serious about saving the victims, let them instruct my team and me to chase the bandits out of our forests and see if they can withstand the onslaught, even with their sophisticated weapons,” he asserted.
Government approval for his security initiative, “Iru Ekun,” the Oyo State Government has prohibited him from intervening, claiming any rescue attempt could endanger the kidnapped children.
“After forming ‘Iru Ekun,’ the Federal Government backed me, but the state warned that no security forces could assist me. Are we supposed to wait while they continue to terrorize? I care deeply for these abductees; no one can take me or my family captive, as they reside abroad,” he stated.
Questioning the motivations behind the political situation, Igboho remarked, “No matter how flawed Buhari’s regime may have been, he finished his term. Why are they trying to sabotage a Yoruba man—Tinubu—from completing his? It was Tinubu who liberated me when I was in exile. Why should I oppose him, or why are they trying to undermine his administration?”
In light of these challenges, Igboho is pushing to officially launch his “Iru Ekun Security Network” to combat the criminal activity plaguing the South-West’s forests, while also pledging to adhere to the new regulations set forth by Governor Seyi Makinde to manage private security firms in Oyo State.
This development led Igboho to seek approval to launch his security outfit, “Iru Ekun Security Network,” as part of efforts to dislodge criminal elements from the South-West forests.
He also expressed his readiness to comply with the Executive Order recently issued by the Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, to regulate the activities of private security firms in the state.
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