Nigerian Troops Deploy to Benin After Sudden Senate Vote

The Nigerian Senate has granted President Bola Tinubu permission to deploy troops to neighboring Benin. The approval came through a swift voice vote on Thursday. This move follows action already taken. The Nigerian Air Force had previously sent personnel to Benin at the direct request of its government. President Tinubu sought formal legislative approval in a letter read to the Senate. Senators approved the military deployment immediately afterward. The reason for the troop deployment was not specified in the president's request. Tinubu leads the regional bloc ECOWAS, which has recently faced tensions with military-led governments in West Africa.