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How Nigeria’s rapid military intervention in Benin reshaped West Africa’s anti-coup momentum

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How Nigeria’s rapid military intervention in Benin reshaped West Africa’s anti-coup momentum

By: Zagazola Makama

The failed coup attempt in Benin Republic is far more than an isolated disturbance in West Africa. It is a political earthquake whose tremors are being felt all the way from Cotonou to Bamako, Niamey and Ouagadougou.

For the military juntas entrenched in the Sahel, Sunday’s events were a nightmare scenario a decisive blow to their hope of expanding the “putschist club” across the region.

President Patrice Talon’s firm, composed address to the nation late Sunday night delivered the final stamp of legitimacy. But what many are now acknowledging is this: Nigeria’s swift and disciplined intervention was the game-changer.

In the early hours of the crisis, as coup plotters seized the National TV station and attempted to entrench themselves, the Government of the Republic of Benin activated its mutual defence channels with Abuja. Within minutes, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, acting under the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, activated a rapid-response military operation.

The Nigerian Air Force fighter jets were ordered into Beninese airspace to dominate the skies, neutralise hostile positions, and support loyalist forces. Simultaneously, Nigerian ground forces mobilised and crossed into Benin under Benin-led coordination, providing reinforcement to secure key installations and restore constitutional order.

This single act of regional leadership changed the trajectory of the coup, shattered the momentum of the plotters, and halted what could have become a prolonged national crisis.
ECOWAS was already mobilising, but Nigeria’s decisive action set the tone and provided the operational backbone that ended the coup within hours. It was a clear demonstration that Abuja remains the stabilising anchor of West Africa politically, diplomatically, and militarily.

As Talon spoke last night, the fear in junta capitals was visible. Social media networks aligned with the juntas scrambled to spin the failure: “It’s not over yet!” “Talon is bluffing!” “Stay vigilant!”

But beneath the bravado was panic. Their long-held dream to expand military rule into coastal West Africa had collapsed and Nigeria’s intervention made that collapse irreversible.The night became a theatre of desperation, with fake democrats, pseudo-intellectuals and Pan-African opportunists trying to salvage their ideological embarrassment. They resorted to tired diversionary tactics, attacking ECOWAS, questioning its motives, and searching for excuses.

But the truth was undeniable: The coup failed because the region, led by Nigeria, refused to allow another country to fall. But expected, some Nigerians, often those who do not follow security operations, took to social media asking: “Why didn’t Nigeria use this same energy against terrorists and bandits?”

An absurd question. It is as if these people have never seen the daily reports of: Dozens of terrorists neutralised across Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Borno, mass destruction of ISWAP and Boko Haram enclaves, bandit kingpins eliminated, thousands of kidnapped victims rescued, large quantities of weapons recovered, aerial bombardments carried out week after week

Nigeria has been fighting terrorists with unmatched intensity, To compare the two operations, one a cross-border rapid-intervention mission lasting hours, and the other a domestic counterterrorism war spanning over 15 years is intellectually dishonest. What happened in Benin was not “energy Nigeria never shows.” It was a different type of mission a rapid, high-precision, multinational constitutional defence operation and Nigeria executed it flawlessly.

The larger significance of the failed coup is now evident. It has: exposed the weakness of the Sahel juntas, halted their push to expand military authoritarianism southwards, sent a message that ECOWAS has finally adapted and will no longer tolerate illegal takeovers and reaffirmed Nigeria’s decisive role in shaping regional security outcomes.

The supporters of the juntas are terrified and they should be. Because Sunday marked the beginning of a new countdown. The ideological project of the Sahel military regimes is weakening, and their attempt to export instability has backfired spectacularly. The next months will be critical. The Sahelian juntas, already struggling with insecurity, economic collapse, and public frustration, now face an emboldened regional order.

Nigeria’s leadership, demonstrated so clearly in Benin, has restored confidence that democratic stability in West Africa can and will be defended.

The failed coup in Benin did not only preserve a nation’s democracy. It reset the balance of power in the region. And Nigeria stood at the centre of that pivotal moment.

The clock is ticking for the putschist regimes.
History has resumed its rightful course.

Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region

How Nigeria’s rapid military intervention in Benin reshaped West Africa’s anti-coup momentum

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Two Notorious Terrorist Leaders Haruna Balatoni and Black Neutralised in Plateau Military Offensive Another Fatally Wounded as Six AK-47 Rifles Returned

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Two Notorious Terrorist Leaders Haruna Balatoni and Black Neutralised in Plateau Military Offensive Another Fatally Wounded as Six AK-47 Rifles Returned

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded major breakthroughs in ongoing offensive operations against armed criminal networks in Plateau State, neutralising two notorious terrorist leaders, critically wounding another and recovering six AK-47 rifles previously seized from security forces.

The latest developments followed sustained military offensives at Dajin Madam in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State on November 8, 2026.

Security sources disclosed that HUMINT reports received at about 8:53 a.m. on November 9 indicated that the intensity of the military operation had resulted in the neutralisation of two suspected terrorist leaders identified as Haruna Balatoni and Black.

Another notorious figure, identified as Dogo Mai Kunkuru, was reportedly shot in the chest and left in a critical condition, with sources indicating that his chances of survival were slim.

In a significant development on November 10, the sustained military pressure reportedly compelled the terrorist network, through an intermediary identified as Ali-Kwara, to return six AK-47 rifles previously seized from security forces.

The recovered weapons are currently in military custody.
In a related operation, troops of 173 Battalion deployed at Mansur rescued a kidnapped mother and her daughter and recovered 39 cattle.

The developments represent a significant disruption of the criminal network’s leadership, weapons stockpile and capacity to sustain operations in the Wase axis.
The recovery of the six rifles is particularly important as it restores weapons previously lost to the criminal network and provides an opportunity for further intelligence exploitation.

The latest successes underscore the impact of sustained offensive pressure, intelligence-driven operations and military presence in dismantling armed groups operating across Plateau State.

The reported deaths of the terrorist leaders and the condition of Dogo Mai Kunkuru are based on preliminary HUMINT assessments and remain subject to independent military confirmation

Two Notorious Terrorist Leaders Haruna Balatoni and Black Neutralised in Plateau Military Offensive Another Fatally Wounded as Six AK-47 Rifles Returned

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Troops Dislodge Terrorists from Hideouts in Taraba, Recover Five Motorcycles

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Troops Dislodge Terrorists from Hideouts in Taraba, Recover Five Motorcycles

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 114 Battalion (Reinforcement) have dislodged suspected terrorists from their hideouts during a fighting patrol in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The operation, conducted under Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), commenced at about 7:30 a.m. on November 8, 2026, with troops advancing towards Komodoro village, where they made contact with suspected terrorists.

Security sources said the criminals fled upon sighting the advancing troops, prompting the patrol team to extend its operation to Mashigin Kirya village within the same local government area.

At Mashigin Kirya, the troops encountered suspected terrorists believed to have been hibernating in the general area and engaged them, forcing the armed elements to retreat.
The troops subsequently recovered five motorcycles suspected to have been used by the criminal group for mobility and logistics.

To further disrupt the fleeing terrorists, the troops conducted a fire mission using an 81mm mortar along their withdrawal route.
The operation was ongoing as troops sustained pressure on suspected criminal hideouts and movement corridors in the area.

The development point to the military’s determination to deny armed groups safe havens and restrict their freedom of movement across Taraba State.

Troops Dislodge Terrorists from Hideouts in Taraba, Recover Five Motorcycles

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Two Fulani Herdsmen, 16 Cows Killed in Attack on Enugu Community as Joint Troops Launch Investigation

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Two Fulani Herdsmen, 16 Cows Killed in Attack on Enugu Community as Joint Troops Launch Investigation

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS), have launched an investigation into an attack on Fulani herdsmen in Obelagu Umuamba community, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, which left two herders and 16 cattle dead.

The incident came to light at about 11:00 a.m. on November 10, 2026, when a joint patrol team comprising troops of the 82 Division Garrison and 103 Battalion (Reinforcement), alongside police and DSS operatives, visited the community to assess the cause and extent of damage from the recent attack by suspected hoodlums.

On arrival, the security team discovered that two Fulani herdsmen and 16 cows had been killed, while two other persons sustained injuries.

Following the discovery, the troops convened a joint peace and security meeting involving community leaders, representatives of the Fulani herders, neighbourhood watch groups and other key stakeholders.

During the meeting, security officials cautioned all parties against taking the law into their hands, warning that reprisals could escalate tensions and further threaten peaceful coexistence.

The troops subsequently recovered the corpses and handed them over to the police for further investigation.

Meanwhile, security agencies have commenced efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack, including suspected local collaborators.

The intervention is aimed at preventing retaliatory violence, restoring confidence among residents and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.

Authorities have urged both farming and herding communities to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and pursue grievances through lawful channels.

Two Fulani Herdsmen, 16 Cows Killed in Attack on Enugu Community as Joint Troops Launch Investigation

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