President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic has called on neighbouring countries to cooperate with his government in apprehending and extraditing suspects linked to a foiled coup attempt.
The Beninese government has issued arrest warrants for those allegedly involved in the plot, with the prime suspect identified as Col. Pascal Tigri.
Speaking at a press briefing in Cotonou, Talon said the suspects fled the country after the failed coup and crossed international borders.
“They have been able to cross the borders. We have issued warrants against them and requested the concerned countries to cooperate and deliver them to us,” the president said.
He expressed confidence that regional authorities would act on the request.
“I hope they will cooperate and deliver them to us, because they have to answer,” Talon added.
The president provided details of how Tigri allegedly escaped after the plot failed.
According to him, the suspect hurriedly left a camp, travelling by car without taking any personal belongings, and abandoned a boy at the location.
Talon said Tigri later claimed he was no longer present when a strike occurred, a situation that reportedly enabled the suspects to flee across the border.
The Beninese leader noted that cooperation on the extradition request would be crucial to easing diplomatic tensions triggered by the alleged attempt to destabilise the country.
He said the authorities had activated international cooperation mechanisms and formally notified relevant countries, urging swift action to locate and hand over the suspects.
According to reports, Tigri had fled Benin Republic and crossed over to Niger Republic.
As of press time, there was no official response from Nigerien authorities regarding the extradition request.