Around a dozen soldiers have been arrested in Benin following Sunday’s attempted coup, military and security sources told AFP.
At least 13 suspects, including the ringleaders of the operation, were taken into custody after authorities moved to restore order across the capital, Cotonou.
According to security sources, all those arrested are serving members of the armed forces except one, a former soldier.
The arrests came shortly after a group of officers appeared on national television announcing that they had removed President Patrice Talon from office and dissolved all state institutions. The group, calling itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, claimed it had seized control of the government.
The presidency, however, swiftly dismissed the declaration, confirming that President Talon is safe. Officials described the incident as the action of “a small group” with limited capacity, noting that loyalist forces were reclaiming all strategic locations.
“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 told AFP.
By Sunday afternoon, security operations had intensified across key areas of Cotonou as authorities sought to prevent further disruptions.
Despite the morning tensions, the government assured citizens that stability had been restored and those behind the attempted takeover were already in custody.
