The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has conducted a series of precise and coordinated airstrikes on fleeing members of the recently foiled coup attempt in the Benin Republic, multiple security sources have confirmed.
According to information obtained by Zagazola Makama, the operation specifically targeted the coup plotters and their equipment as they attempted to escape Cotonou in armoured vehicles, following the swift intervention by loyalist forces in Benin.
The airstrikes, carried out within a 30-minute window, involved multiple Nigerian fighter jets operating inside Beninese airspace under a joint regional security understanding.
“The operation was meticulously planned and executed. Our objectives were clear: neutralize fleeing hostile elements, prevent regrouping, and restore stability in coordination with regional partners,” the sources stated.
They further stressed that the mission was conducted with the consent of Benin authorities and in strict compliance with international protocols aimed at minimizing collateral damage while maximizing the efficiency of the strikes.
Eyewitnesses in Cotonou reported hearing a series of explosions in strategic locations, confirming the impact of the aerial onslaught. Security sources noted that the strikes successfully immobilized armoured vehicles used by the plotters, cut off their escape routes, and resulted in the deaths of several insurgent elements.
This intervention follows the failed coup led by Lt. Pascal Tigri, who briefly attempted to dissolve state institutions and seize full military control of the Benin Republic. After the plot collapsed, several key actors attempted to flee southward, triggering Nigeria’s rapid aerial response.
“The Nigerian Air Force remains committed to safeguarding regional security and protecting the sovereignty of neighbouring states,” a top military officer said. “Our operations are intelligence-driven, precise, and aimed at preventing any spillover that could threaten our borders.”
Zagazola reports that the operation stands as one of Nigeria’s most decisive military cross-border interventions in recent West African history, underscoring the country’s readiness to counter destabilising threats within the region.
Authorities in both countries are currently evaluating the full impact of the strikes, while follow-up joint operations are underway to apprehend any surviving coup participants.
