Former YPP presidential candidate Malik Ado-Ibrahim has applauded President Bola Tinubu for deploying Nigerian troops to the Benin Republic during Sunday’s coup attempt. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ado-Ibrahim described the move as “wise, clever, and politically strategic,” stressing that Nigeria acted to protect its economic lifeline and regional stability.
He said Lagos, being central to Nigeria’s economy, required immediate protection and that Tinubu acted within ECOWAS protocols that permit rapid intervention. According to him, the deployment sent a strong message to countries underestimating Nigeria’s defence capacity.
Ado-Ibrahim, however, expressed concern about Nigeria’s weak intelligence system, noting that while troops are capable, inadequate intelligence gathering slows responses at home.
The Benin coup attempt, led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, was crushed within hours by loyalist forces with support from Nigerian troops and an ECOWAS standby unit. Several people died, 14 suspects were arrested, and Tigri remains at large.
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