HIBAPRESS
Benin's President Patrice Talon announced on national television on Sunday evening that "the situation is completely under control," following a coup attempt in the morning, which the authorities confirmed had been thwarted.
Talon added: "I assure you that the situation is completely under control, and I invite you to conduct your business peacefully this evening. Security and public order will be maintained throughout the country," noting that "this treacherous act will not go unpunished."
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said on Sunday that it had ordered the immediate deployment of members of its reserve force in Benin following the coup attempt.
A source in the Nigerian presidency and a military spokesman told Agence France-Presse on Sunday that the Nigerian Air Force struck targets in neighboring Benin, apparently in coordination with the Beninese authorities who are working to contain the coup attempt.
Air Force spokesman Ehimen Egudame said that "the Nigerian Air Force carried out operations in Benin in accordance with the protocols of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the regional reserve force," adding that this operation "confirms Nigeria's commitment to regional security."
Egudame did not clarify the nature of the targets hit by the Nigerian strikes.
Benin's Interior Minister announced on Sunday that the armed forces had thwarted the coup attempt by a group of soldiers who seized control of national television and announced the dismissal of the president.
Benin's Interior Minister, Hassan Sido, said in a statement that the armed forces in the West African country had thwarted a coup attempt.
For his part, Foreign Minister Olushun Adjadi Bakari told Reuters earlier on Sunday: "There is an attempt, but the situation is under control… It is a small group from the army. A large part of the army is still loyal to the state, and we are in control of the situation."
A group of soldiers appeared earlier on Sunday on Benin's official television, announcing the dissolution of the government.
The soldiers, who identified themselves as the "Military Committee for Reconstruction," indicated that their group "met on Sunday, December 7, 2025, and deliberated and decided to dismiss Patrice Talon from his duties as President of the Republic."
The coup attempt came as Benin prepares for presidential elections in April, which are expected to bring an end to the term of the current President Talon, who has been in power since 2016.
