Several civil society organisations have criticised the National Assembly for what they describe as the “hasty and opaque” approval of President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to Benin Republic following last week’s failed coup in the neighbouring country.
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) said the development reflects deeper concerns about Nigeria’s foreign policy direction.
Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, told Vanguard that the move suggests a shift away from national interest.
According to him, the decision contrasts sharply with Nigeria’s earlier insistence that foreign powers, including the United States, must not conduct military operations on Nigerian soil.
Rafsanjani said: “I cannot understand how we reject foreign military intervention at home but quickly deploy our soldiers abroad without proper discussion or early approval. These are soldiers we need to tackle worsening insecurity across Nigeria.”
He also alleged that troops were deployed even before the National Assembly gave formal approval, describing the move as a sign of a weakened and poorly coordinated foreign policy framework.
Another rights organisation, Global Rights Nigeria, also faulted the Senate’s swift endorsement of the deployment, warning that Nigeria’s already overstretched military could be further burdened.
Executive Director, Abiodun Bayeiwu, said Nigeria must be cautious, given its ongoing battles with terrorism, banditry, farmer–herder clashes and rising violent crime.
She noted that while ECOWAS allows joint regional security actions, domestic stability must not be compromised.
Bayeiwu said: “In a democracy, troop deployment outside national borders demands thorough debate and transparent justification. Speed must never replace scrutiny.”
She listed key questions the government must answer, including:
– the mission’s specific mandate and duration
– risks to Nigerian personnel,
– financial implications
– the potential impact on Nigeria’s own security operations.
According to her, quick approvals with little visible debate risk undermining public trust in governance.
Bayeiwu advised the government to prioritise internal security, improve transparency, and strengthen diplomatic strategies within West Africa, stressing that military intervention should remain a last resort.
The comments come amid growing scrutiny of Nigeria’s role in the region, especially after ECOWAS troops intervened swiftly in Benin Republic but were unable to prevent recent coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.