Dozen soldiers arrested following foiled Coup Attempt in Benin

Authorities in Benin have detained approximately a dozen soldiers following a failed attempt to overthrow President Patrice Talon, military and security sources confirmed on Sunday.

The arrests come just hours after a small faction of military officers appeared on national television earlier Sunday morning, claiming they had seized power and dissolved all state institutions.

According to a security source speaking to AFP, a total of 13 people have been detained in connection with the operation. Another source confirmed that all but one of the suspects were serving soldiers, with the remaining detainee identified as a former member of the armed forces.

The rogue officers had identified themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation as they announced the removal of President Talon and the suspension of the government.

However, the presidency quickly moved to reassure the public and international community, insisting that the President was safe and that the national armed forces remained loyal and were actively restoring order.

Read also: Benin Republic president safe as coup attempt foiled —Interior Minister

The presidency downplayed the threat posed by the plotters, describing the incident as the work of “a small group” with severely 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,” the presidency stated in a briefing to AFP.

The swift arrests suggest that the attempt was quickly contained by forces loyal to President Talon, preventing the situation from escalating into wider national instability.

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