President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been criticised severely by netizens for not deploying the same level of military might used in scuttling the attempted coup in the Republic of Benin to decisively confront terrorist groups wreaking havoc across Nigeria.
Below are some of their comments;
Stovah Michael: “If the Federal government of Nigeria under president Bola Tinubu in a swift response, could launch military aircraft jets, and hit precisely the fleeing coup plotters at Benin Republic without any form of delay and bureaucracy; no approval from the national assembly. Then there should not be any form of delay for her to deal decisively with those terrorising her citizens. But we are not seeing this.
“This is Benin Republic internal affairs, as a result of their failed leadership. This is failed leadership is what all the ECOWAS heads of government are meting out on their citizens. By sending the Nigerian airforce, our Tinubu just went to flex his muscles. He was rather protecting his personal interest and that of Emmanuel Macron’s.
“Another colony of France is tired of the French manipulations of using their wicked politicians to impoverish the people while they enrich themselves and that of their former colonial masters. Nigeria didn’t played the role of the giant of Africa, neither is she acting as a regional lead is this insensitive, corrupt, questionable and failing ECOWAS block. Nigeria just acted as a pawn of the French government.
“Nobody is shouting Benin Republic is a sovereign state, why should Nigeria send in fighter jets. Yet some rogue minded fellow cry foul when the US says they will take military actions against Nigeria if her leaders doesn’t act fast to end terrorism. What Nigeria did in Benin Republic is an open invitation for the US government to come and wipe out these Islamic jihadist and terrorists.
“In similar way, the US government will send in their forces to wipe out the terrorists and nobody should cry foul that Nigeria is a sovereign state. Nigeria just bombed some citizens (fleeing coup plotters) of another ‘sovereign’ state. By this singular act she has welcomed the US government to bomb the fleeing terrorists in Nigeria”.
Kie Obomanu: “Nigerian Government has the ability to defend Benin Republic against a couple coordinated by a faction of their Army by sending Jet fighters to neutralise the coup and reinstall the President but couldn’t send Jets to bring back President Goodluck Jonather trapped in Guinea Bissau or send fighter jets to finish up these terrorists wherever they are located in the North.
“Did you see the pattern of the Nigerian Government led by President Tinubu ?”
On his part, human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, stressed that the victory in Benin would ring hollow if Nigeria fails to confront terrorism, banditry, and violent extremism terrorising innocent citizens within its own territory.
“The same might displayed in Benin should be applied with even greater resolve to crush the terrorist groups operating within our borders, so that Nigeria can truly lead by example”.
Adeyanju maintained that Nigeria’s leadership of ECOWAS and its growing regional influence will only be meaningful when citizens at home feel safe, secure, and protected from insurgents and armed groups.
The activist urged President Tinubu to prioritise domestic security with the same urgency deployed during the Benin intervention, insisting that Nigerians deserve peace just as much as democracy deserves protection.
