Nigerian Troops Secure Cotonou as Shettima Arrives Benin for Presidential Inauguration
Nigerian Army troops have been deployed to strategic locations across Cotonou, Republic of Benin, ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Romuald Wadagni scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Security sources disclosed that the troops were positioned as part of the first layer of security arrangements to safeguard the inauguration venue, as well as other vulnerable and key points across the Beninese commercial capital.
The deployment is part of coordinated regional security measures aimed at ensuring a peaceful and seamless inauguration ceremony expected to attract heads of state, senior government officials, diplomats and foreign delegations from across Africa and beyond.
The inauguration marks a significant political transition in the Republic of Benin as Wadagni formally assumes office for a seven-year constitutional term.
Sources said security had been heightened around major routes, government facilities, strategic installations and the Presidential Palace area in Cotonou, with surveillance and patrol operations intensified ahead of the ceremony.
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The swearing-in programme is expected to feature official state ceremonies, the transfer of presidential insignia and a ceremonial procession linked to events in Porto-Novo, the administrative capital of Benin Republic.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Cotonou to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration ceremony.
Shettima, accompanied by senior government officials and aides, is attending the event as a special guest of the Beninese government.
According to a statement issued by the Vice President’s Media Assistant, Stanley Nkwocha, the Nigerian delegation will join other African leaders and international dignitaries at the ceremony scheduled to take place at the Presidential Palace in Cotonou.
The statement noted that the event reflects the longstanding diplomatic, economic and socio-cultural ties between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
Nigeria and the Republic of Benin maintain close bilateral relations anchored on regional trade, border cooperation, security collaboration and the broader objectives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
President Tinubu has consistently reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, democratic governance and integration within the West African sub-region.
Vice President Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria after the conclusion of the inauguration activities.
By PRNigeria
