Use Benin coup might to crush terrorists at home – Deji Adeyanju tells Tinubu

Human rights lawyer and social activist, Deji Adeyanju, has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deploy the same level of military decisiveness used in stopping the recent attempted coup in the Republic of Benin to confront Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

In a statement issued on Monday, Adeyanju applauded the swift action of the Nigerian Armed Forces and President Tinubu’s leadership in protecting democratic rule in the neighbouring West African nation.

Describing the operation as bold and commendable, he noted that the use of Air Force fighter jets alongside coordinated ground tactics demonstrated Nigeria’s capacity to defend democratic values beyond its borders.

According to him, the intervention should serve as a strong warning to forces seeking to destabilise democracy within the Sahel region.

However, Adeyanju warned that the victory recorded in Benin would amount to little if Nigeria fails to apply the same resolve in confronting terrorism and criminal violence at home.

He insisted that the same military strength displayed during the Benin operation must now be directed at crushing insurgent groups operating within Nigeria’s borders so that the country can truly lead by example.

The activist further stressed that Nigeria’s position as a regional power and leader of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) must reflect in the safety and security of its own citizens.

He added that regional leadership is meaningless if Nigerians continue to live in fear of insurgents, bandits, and armed groups.

Adeyanju’s remarks come amid persistent security challenges across the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions, where terrorist attacks and banditry continue despite sustained military operations.

He therefore urged President Tinubu to accord domestic security the same urgency and seriousness that defined Nigeria’s intervention in Benin.