The Benin Republic military has confirmed the arrest of about a dozen soldiers, including the alleged ringleaders, following an attempted coup against President Patrice Talon.
According to military sources, 13 individuals have been detained in connection with the plot. All but one of the suspects are active-duty soldiers, while the remaining detainee is a former service member.
InfoStride News reports that the arrests followed a dramatic incident on Sunday morning, when a group of officers appeared on Benin’s national television, announcing the overthrow of President Talon and the dissolution of all state institutions.
The officers, who introduced themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation, claimed they had taken control of the government.
However, the presidency swiftly dismissed the announcement, assuring citizens that President Talon was safe and that loyal security forces were restoring order.
In a statement, the presidency described the incident as the work of “a small group with limited influence.”
“This is a small group of people who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure,” it said.
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