Former President Goodluck Jonathan has returned safely to Abuja after being evacuated from Guinea-Bissau in the wake of a sudden military coup that plunged the nation into political turmoil. He arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport descending from a government aircraft, marking a relieved end to mounting concerns about his security.

Jonathan had travelled to the country as head of the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission, overseeing the presidential and legislative polls held the previous Sunday. The military takeover erupted just as provisional results were expected, with both President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias claiming victory in a highly tense contest.

Gunfire echoed around the presidential palace as soldiers barricaded key routes in the capital. Officers identifying themselves as the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” declared they had taken “total control.” General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, announced that all branches of the armed forces had assumed leadership “until further notice.” Embaló confirmed to France24 that he had been deposed, reportedly sheltering near military headquarters. Claims of a plot involving “drug lords” and imported weapons were used to justify the suspension of the electoral process, a border shutdown, and an overnight curfew.

Initial reports indicated that Jonathan and other election observers were trapped, with the airport and all land borders sealed off. Nigeria’s House of Representatives quickly urged the Federal Government to activate all diplomatic avenues to ensure his safe return.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs later confirmed that Jonathan had been successfully evacuated. Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said the former president departed on a special flight alongside his delegation, including diplomat Mohamed Chambas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured the public that Jonathan had remained safe throughout the ordeal.

International condemnation was swift. In a joint statement, Jonathan, Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique, and Issifu Kamara of the ECOWAS Observation Mission condemned the coup as a “direct attempt” to derail Guinea-Bissau’s democratic process. They appealed for calm, reaffirming their commitment to supporting the country through its fragile political moment. Nigeria’s Federal Government echoed this stance, describing the coup as an unconstitutional breach of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. By Thursday, the military announced the reopening of all borders, with Inspector General of the Armed Forces, General Lansana Mansali, confirming that “all borders are now open.”