Benin Sought Nigeria’s Help to Prevent Civilian Deaths During Failed Coup Attempt — Foreign Minister Bakari Benin’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Olushegun Bakari, has revealed that his country urgently requested military support from Nigeria and other ECOWAS states to avoid civilian casualties during last Sunday’s failed coup attempt against President Patrice Talon. Speaking in Abuja, Bakari said Benin activated the ECOWAS intervention protocol after mutineers launched coordinated attacks on key state installations, including the presidential residence and national broadcaster. Although Benin’s military had repelled the initial assault, the rebels retreated into civilian-populated areas, prompting the call for external support to ensure a precise, low-casualty operation. Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Sierra Leone deployed forces that helped prevent the conflict from escalating. Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, said the episode underscored the importance of a strengthened, well-funded ECOWAS Standby Force. #BeninCoupAttempt #ECOWASIntervention #WestAfricaSecurity