By Ayodele Oni
In the aftermath of the attempted coup in the West African nation of Benin Republic on Sunday, military personnel numbering13 have been arrested, including the alleged ringleaders of the operation.
Military and security sources told AFP, that 13 arrests have been made, with all detainees in active service except one former soldier.
The attempted coup unfolded early Sunday when a group of soldiers, calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), announced on state television that President Patrice Talon had been removed from office.
The group cited concerns over deteriorating security in northern Benin, neglect of fallen soldiers’ families, and alleged unfair promotions.
The announcement was followed shortly by assurances from sources close to Talon that the president remained safe and that the regular army was regaining control.
However, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou described the event as “a mutiny with the aim of destabilising the country and its institutions.”
He added, “Faced with this situation, the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership maintained control of the situation and foiled the attempt.”
The African Union condemned the attempted coup in a statement on Sunday, urging all actors involved to return to their barracks.
AU Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf called on soldiers to “immediately cease all unlawful actions… and to return without delay to their legitimate barracks and professional obligations.”
ECOWAS also described the coup as “unconstitutional” and a subversion of the will of the Beninese people.
Nigeria has withdrawn its fighter jet earlier deployed to Benin Republic after the country’s authorities announced that the situation has stabilized following a foiled coup attempt.
The coup attempt, led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, aimed to overthrow President Patrice Talon, but was thwarted by loyalist forces.
The Nigerian military had deployed the fighter jet as a precautionary measure to monitor the situation and ensure regional security. However, with the situation under control, the aircraft has been ordered to return to base .
According to reports, the coup plotters had taken control of the national television station and announced the dissolution of the government and closure of borders.
However, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou stated that the armed forces had foiled the coup attempt and urged the population to go about their business as usual.
The attempted coup comes amid a broader pattern of political instability in West Africa. In the past five years, coups or attempted coups have occurred in Mali, Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau, highlighting persistent challenges to constitutional governance in the region.
President Talon, 67, a former businessman known as the “cotton king of Cotonou,” is due to hand over power in April 2026 at the conclusion of his second term. He has been credited with economic growth during his tenure, although critics have accused his administration of authoritarian tendencies.
Security operations in Benin continue as authorities work to stabilise the capital and reassert control over military and civil institutions.
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