Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Monday night, Onanuga said Nigeria acted promptly and decisively following last week’s attempted coup in Benin, stressing that the operation was undertaken strictly at the request of President Patrice Talon’s government.
He noted that Benin sent two formal requests for support — first for fighter jets to repel the coup plotters, and later for ground troops to stabilise the situation.
“What happened on Sunday and what happened today only shows that this government is committed to protecting democracy, not just in Nigeria, but also among our neighbours,” Onanuga said.
He added that the release of the abducted Papiri children in Niger State further highlights the capability and coordination of Nigeria’s security forces.
According to him, the intervention in Benin aligned with ECOWAS regulations and Tinubu’s long-standing advocacy for democratic stability across West Africa.
“Since he came into office in 2023, he has been the strongest advocate of democracy in the sub-region,” he said.
Onanuga dismissed claims that President Talon failed to acknowledge Nigeria’s role in quelling the coup attempt, insisting that Benin’s appreciation was clearly communicated.
He also drew a contrast between the Benin operation and Nigeria’s ongoing internal security challenges, explaining that the fight against terrorists and bandits involves complex asymmetric warfare, making it impossible to apply the same tactics domestically.
“You have to be careful not to harm civilians held as shields by terrorists. This is guerrilla warfare,” he warned.
Addressing questions about ransom payments in the rescue of abducted students, Onanuga declined to confirm or deny any such arrangements, saying the priority was that the victims were returned safely.
Official records indicate that 215 students and 12 teachers were initially abducted. So far, 115 students and all 12 teachers have been rescued.
He added that the National Security Adviser had announced that more students would be released in batches.
Onanuga also reacted to ongoing concerns regarding President Tinubu’s directive for police withdrawal from VIP escorts, stating that the Inspector-General of Police had already begun implementation.
He noted that some security personnel still seen around high-profile individuals are not conventional police officers but “spy policemen,” who operate under a different category.
