International
Nigeria’s Military Action In Benin Reflects Tinubu’s Commitment To Democracy, Says Onanuga
Nigeria’s Military Action In Benin Reflects Tinubu’s Commitment To Democracy, Says Onanuga
Nigeria’s military action in Benin reflects Tinubu’s commitment to democracy, says Onanuga. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has said Nigeria’s swift military support to Benin Republic following a foiled coup attempt, alongside the successful rescue of 100 abducted students in Niger State, reflects President Bola Tinubu’s strong commitment to defending democracy and improving national security.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Monday night, Onanuga explained that Nigeria’s response to last week’s attempted coup in Benin Republic was prompt, well-coordinated and carried out strictly at the request of the Beninese authorities.
“What happened on Sunday and what happened today only showed that this government is committed to protecting democracy, not just in Nigeria, but also among our neighbours.
“And what you have also seen in the release of the Papiri children is that our security people, the armed forces, the air force, the ground troops, they are up to the task of helping to protect this country,” he said.
He disclosed that the President of the Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, personally sought Nigeria’s assistance when the coup plot unfolded.
“The government of Benin, President Talon’s government, sent two notifications to Nigeria, actually in quick succession, because the first one was that Nigeria should send fighter jets to help them dislodge the coup plotters. And after that was done, they again requested ground troops,” Onanuga said.
According to him, the intervention aligned with ECOWAS protocols and President Tinubu’s longstanding advocacy for democratic governance within the West African subregion.
“Since he came in in 2023, he’s been the greatest advocate of democracy in the West African sub-region… Whatever command he gave to our military to support Benin is in consonance with that. That is what he believes in,” he said.
Addressing claims that President Talon had not openly acknowledged Nigeria’s support, Onanuga dismissed the suggestion, insisting appreciation had been shown. “I also read some accounts where he acknowledged Nigeria’s support. He needed Nigeria, and it was wise for them to have called on Nigeria to help them.”
He contrasted the Benin operation with Nigeria’s internal security challenges, noting that combating terrorism and banditry at home is far more complex.
“The internal war is more of an asymmetric war… You have ragtag bandits and terrorists sometimes holding our people as shields,” he said.
Onanuga explained that this reality makes military operations within Nigeria more delicate. “You have to be very careful not to go and bomb those they are holding as collateral. It’s different. These are like a guerrilla force. Even the almighty America couldn’t fight guerrillas in Afghanistan,” he added.
On the kidnapping of students from St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Onanuga confirmed that 100 abducted students had been rescued, noting that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of those still in captivity.
“We have wound all of them out. We are hoping the others will soon be released. Security agents are making all kinds of efforts to get those children out,” he said.
Asked whether ransom was paid, he declined to comment.
“I don’t know. I don’t want to talk about security people and the way they do their work. All I am aware of is that they got the children out… This is the result that really matters,” he said.
He also avoided commenting on the legality of ransom payments, saying, “I don’t want to talk about the modus operandi of security people. They have a way of getting results.”
Citing official figures, Onanuga noted that more abductees remain with the terrorists. “The final figure they gave was that 215 students and 12 teachers were abducted. We are grateful that we have 115 students and 12 teachers remaining,” he said.
He added that the National Security Adviser had earlier explained how the rescue operations would proceed.
“The NSA said those children will be released in batches. I’m sure they must have found a way around it. I’m not a security man, I don’t want to talk about security,” he said.
Onanuga dismissed speculation about the identity of the abductors, describing those operating in the area as terrorists.
“Generally, the people operating along that axis are terrorists. Either they belong to Ansaru and all these gangs, or they are just terrorists operating there,” he said.
Military Action In Benin Reflects Tinubu’s Commitment To Democracy
He also spoke about the President’s directive to withdraw police escorts from VIPs, stressing that implementation was already underway.
“The IG came out to say he has withdrawn them… about 12,000 policemen doing VIP work. I rarely see policemen outside like before,” he said.
According to him, some security personnel still seen around prominent individuals are not regular police officers.
“There are those they call spy policemen. They wear police-like uniforms, but they are not really part of the workforce of the Police,” he said.
Onanuga concluded that the Tinubu administration’s actions at home and across the sub-region demonstrated both capacity and resolve.
“This government is committed to protecting democracy and our security people are up to the task of helping to protect this country,” he said.
2026 GFP Report: Nigeria’s Navy Ranked Strongest In Africa, 22nd Globally
2026 GFP Report: Nigeria’s Navy ranked strongest in Africa, 22nd globally. The Nigerian naval fleet has been ranked the strongest in Africa, according to a 2026 Global Firepower (GFP) report.
The ranking is based on each country’s conventional war-fighting capability across land, sea, and air.
Nigeria shares maritime boundaries with the Republic of Benin, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, and Sao Tome and Principe, all located in the Gulf of Guinea, along an estimated 853 km coastline.
The waters also cover Nigeria’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which extends 220 nautical miles offshore and contains resources such as oil and aquatic life.
However, piracy and disputes remain persistent challenges.
Patrol boats, numbering 132, make up the bulk of the country’s 152 naval assets. The fleet is also credited with two mine warfare ships and one frigate.
Mine warfare can be deployed to deny access to strategic waterways or support siege-type operations around harbours and ports, while frigates have deep-water capabilities and can support rotorcraft.
The patrol boats consist of offshore patrol vessels, gunboats, missile boats, and fast-attack craft, designed for shallow-water operations.
The GFP report noted that Nigeria lacks aircraft carriers, submarines, corvettes, and destroyers.
Globally, the country was ranked 22nd.
In overall military strength, Nigeria was ranked third in Africa, behind Egypt and Algeria, and 33rd of 145 countries considered in the annual GFP review.
Navy Arrests
EGYPT, ALGERIA BEHIND NIGERIA IN NAVAL STRENGTH
Egypt was ranked Africa’s strongest military, followed by Algeria.
However, in terms of naval strength, Egypt was ranked second in Africa with 149 vessels and 23rd globally.
Algeria came in third place on the continent with 111 vessels and was ranked 34th globally.
Morocco and South Africa, operating 100 and 63 vessels, respectively, ranked fourth and fifth in Africa.
Tunisia, with 37 vessels, came sixth. Mozambique was seventh with 36 vessels, and Angola ranked eighth with 32 vessels.
Kenya and Eritrea occupied the ninth and 10th positions in Africa with 27 and 23 units.
International
President Tinubu Cooperating With American Troops To Eliminate Terrorists In West Africa, Says U.S. General
President Tinubu Cooperating With American Troops To Eliminate Terrorists In West Africa, Says U.S. General
President Tinubu cooperating with American troops to eliminate terrorists in West Africa, says U.S. General. Mr Anderson said he had a meeting with Mr Tinubu in Rome last year, during which they both agreed “to work together.”
United States General Dagvin R.M Anderson has said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is working closely with American forces to eliminate terrorists in the West African region.
Mr Anderson, the commander of Africa Command (AFRICOM), said Nigeria was a shining example among other African nations leveraging the U.S. sophisticated arsenal and “unique capabilities” in intelligence-gathering to exterminate the Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents.
The U.S. general made the statement at a digital press briefing on Tuesday when asked about AFRICOM’s counterterrorism efforts in African partner countries. He said the command wanted to expand operations in West Africa, using Nigeria as a case study.
“We’re looking at working in the west. I think a great example of that is the partnership we’ve had with Nigeria,” Mr Anderson said.
“I’d like to highlight that our partnership with Nigeria is a great example of a very willing and capable partner who requested the unique capabilities that only the U.S. can bring—with some of the ISR, some of the intelligence fusion—to bring that to bear together,” the general added.
Mr Anderson said he had a meeting with Mr Tinubu in Rome last year, during which they both agreed “to work together.”
He said the outcome of the meeting led to “increased collaboration between our nations, to include a small U.S. team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States in order to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years.”
Boko Haram
Last month, Nigeria took delivery of heavy artillery from the U.S. government as a token of Washington’s support in the fight against terrorists.
Last year, President Donald Trumpdesignated Nigeria a country of particular concern over alleged Christian genocide and on December 25, 2025, the U.S. leader bombed major sections of Sokoto State as a symbolic “Christmas present” against Islamic extremists, he said in a statement.
Despite the airstrikes, armed groups have intensified attacks in parts of Northern Nigeria, particularly targeting vulnerable Christian communities.
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.
EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
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