No fewer than a dozen soldiers have been arrested in Benin Republic following an attempted coup that unfolded on Sunday, military and security sources told AFP.
According to one military source, 13 individuals have been taken into custody so far. Another source confirmed that all the detainees are serving soldiers, except for one former member of the armed forces believed to be part of the plot.
The arrests came hours after a dramatic broadcast on Benin’s national television, where a group of uniformed officers declared that they had overthrown President Patrice Talon. The officers, calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation, also announced the dissolution of state institutions.
Their declaration, however, was swiftly countered by the presidency. Officials told AFP that President Talon is safe, adding that loyalist forces had moved quickly to restore order in the capital.
Describing the attempted takeover as the action of a fringe faction, the presidency downplayed the threat posed by the renegade soldiers.
“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,” the presidency said.
Security operations are ongoing as authorities work to stabilize the situation and determine the full extent of the failed coup attempt.