By Babs Oyetoro and Cross Udo, with agency report
Benin Republic has regained complete control of its national security system after loyal forces arrested the 13 soldiers behind Sunday’s botched coup attempt, drawing an immediate and coordinated show of support from the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and neighbouring Nigeria.
The regional response, alongside ECOWAS’ decision to activate contingencies to deploy its standby force to stabilise the country, was described by diplomats as one of West Africa’s strongest unified actions against an attempted military takeover in recent years.
Security and military authorities in Cotonou confirmed that the suspects, mainly serving soldiers and one former service member, were detained shortly after a group of mutineers appeared on national television claiming they had overthrown President Patrice Talon and dissolved the institutions of state.
The group, which called itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, briefly occupied the national broadcaster before being dislodged by loyal troops.
According to local reports, the mutineers, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, aired a short broadcast lasting under 10 minutes in which they declared they had removed the President and taken control of state institutions. Their statement was quickly countered by the Talon administration, which assured citizens that the President was safe and that loyal forces were in firm control.
Senior government officials dismissed the mutineers as a small faction acting without support from the broader military hierarchy.
“This was a fringe group that only controlled the television station momentarily. The regular army did not join them. The city and the country are now completely secure,” a presidential source said.
Interior Minister Alassane Seidou later confirmed that all strategic installations, including the presidential palace, airport, national assembly, military installations and transmission centres, had been secured.
He praised the Republican Army’s rapid response, which avoided bloodshed and prevented the mutiny from spreading beyond the broadcaster’s premises.
•ECOWAS moves to deploy standby force to stabilise the country
ECOWAS reacted swiftly with a strongly worded statement condemning the attempted overthrow as an attack on Benin’s constitutional order.
The bloc, under pressure to demonstrate renewed firmness after a series of successful coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, stated that it stood ready to deploy its regional standby force to support President Talon if necessary.
“ECOWAS will support the government and the people of Benin in all forms necessary, including deployment of the regional standby force, to defend the constitution and territorial integrity of Benin,” the Commission said.
Diplomatic sources said ECOWAS’ readiness to consider military deployment reflects growing concerns that instability from the Sahel could spill into coastal states previously regarded as stable. Benin’s proximity to Niger and Burkina Faso—both under military rule—has heightened fears of contagion effects.
The bloc also stressed that the coup plotters would be held individually responsible for any damage resulting from their actions, reiterating its commitment to zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government.
•Tinubu commends Nigeria’s military for saving Benin’s democracy
President Bola Tinubu has commended the Nigerian military for its swift response in saving democracy in the Republic of Benin.
A statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, late Sunday night, said: “President Bola Tinubu has commended the gallantry of Nigeria’s military on Sunday for responding swiftly to the request by the Government of the Benin Republic to save its 35-year-old democracy from coup plotters who struck at dawn today.
“Acting on two separate requests from the Government of Benin, President Tinubu first ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter the country and take over the airspace to help dislodge the coup plotters from the National TV and a military camp where they had regrouped.
“The Republic of Benin, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a Note Verbal, requested immediate Nigerian air support “in view of the urgency and seriousness of the situation and to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.”
“In the second request, the authorities in Benin requested the deployment of Nigerian Air Force assets within Beninoise airspace for surveillance and rapid intervention operations under Benin-led coordination.
“The Benin government also requested Nigerian ground forces, “strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority in support of the protection of constitutional institutions and the containment of armed Groups.”
“Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, said all the requests have been fulfilled, with Nigerian ground forces now in Benin.
“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” he said.
He further stated: “Constitutional order was upended in the Republic of Benin, Nigeria’s neighbour, when some soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri announced a coup on Sunday morning. The putschists seized the National TV and claimed they had toppled President Patrice Talon and suspended all democratic institutions.
“It took some hours before the government’s loyal forces, assisted by Nigeria, took control and flushed out the coup plotters from the National TV.
“In his remarks after the restoration of the democratic and constitutional order, President Tinubu saluted the Nigerian armed forces for standing firm as a protector and defender of democracy.
“Today, the Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as a defender and protector of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin on the invitation of the government. Our armed forces acted within the ambit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
“They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and have made us proud of their commitment to sustaining our democratic values and ideals since 1999. Nigeria stands firmly with the government and people of the Republic of Benin.”
Earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, said the Nigerian government stood firmly with President Talon and the people of Benin.
“Unconstitutional changes of government have no place in West Africa. Nigeria commends the professionalism of the Beninese Armed Forces in containing the situation,” Tuggar said.
•African Union warns of rising coups across the continent
The African Union also denounced the coup attempt, describing it as a direct assault on democratic governance. AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Yousouf warned that the resurgence of coups on the continent was eroding public confidence in state institutions.
“The rise in coups and attempted coups across parts of the continent is weakening democratic progress, shaking public trust in institutions, and threatening regional stability,” Yousouf said.
He reaffirmed the AU’s full backing for President Talon and pledged the Union’s support in reinforcing Benin’s democratic structures.
The attempted coup comes at a delicate time, less than a year before President Talon is expected to complete his second and final term.
Although Talon has not endorsed any successor, political speculation has intensified, with analysts warning that transition periods often provide openings for military adventurists.
Benin had long been regarded as relatively insulated from the coup wave sweeping Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea-Bissau.
Sunday’s events, however, highlight the growing pressures on coastal states that share security vulnerabilities with the Sahel.
The country’s northern regions have faced increasing extremist threats in recent years, further complicating its internal security landscape.
By late Sunday, officials reported that normalcy had returned, with government offices open, commercial activities resuming, and public transportation operating normally.
Security agencies have been instructed to remain on heightened alert in the coming days to deter retaliatory actions or potential copycat attempts.
