The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele. Credit: Nigerian Army
The Nigerian Army says it deployed troops to the Republic of Benin in April 2026 in a proactive move aimed at supporting democratic stability and preventing any breakdown of law and order during the country’s electioneering period.
According to a Monday statement issued by Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the deployment was carried out on the directive of President and Commander-in-Chief, Bola Tinubu.
“The Nigerian Army (NA), acting on the directive of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Tinubu deployed a company of troops to the Republic of Benin in April 2026 as part of proactive measures to safeguard democratic stability and forestall any breakdown of law and order during the country’s electioneering period,” the statement said.
The Army explained that the troops were not assigned election duties but were strategically positioned to provide a stabilising presence before, during and after the electoral process.
