Benin Republic has launched a major manhunt for fugitive soldiers who attempted a military takeover on Sunday, even as regional powers, including Nigeria, mobilised forces to support the government of President Patrice Talon and “preserve constitutional order.”
All hostages, including two high-ranking military officers, were confirmed released as calm returned to Cotonou by Monday afternoon following a day of gunfire and confusion caused by the aborted coup announcement.
President Talon, 67, assured the nation late Sunday that the situation was “completely under control” and vowed that the “treachery will not go unpunished.”
The Beninese military confirmed that all hostages taken during the brief putsch were released overnight Sunday into Monday.
The two most senior officers held were: Chief of Army Staff, Abou Issa; Army Chief, Colonel Faizou Gomina.
Both officers were released near the National Guard in Cotonou.
However, the military search for the coup plotters continues. AFP quoted a military source as saying that the alleged coup leader, Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, is currently on the run.
“The search continues,” the source said, adding that around a dozen soldiers have already been arrested, but “it was presumed that many of them have fled” to the countryside.
The coup attempt – the latest in a worrying trend across West Africa, following seizures of power in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and others – triggered swift international reaction.
Benin’s neighbour, Nigeria, confirmed late Sunday that it had carried out military strikes on Cotonou and deployed troops at the request of the Beninese government.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has also announced military support, confirming that troops from Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone are being deployed to Benin to help the government maintain order.
The regional bloc, along with the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), and former colonial power France, strongly condemned the coup attempt.
The foiled coup occurs as President Talon prepares to hand over power in April 2026, as he is barred by the constitution from seeking a third term.
Despite being praised for spurring economic growth, Talon has been accused of authoritarianism, particularly after the main opposition Democrats party was excluded from the upcoming presidential ballot on technical grounds.
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