Beninese President President Patrice Talon
- Coup foiled, President moved to safety, Beninese officials say
- Nigerian military intensifies aerial surveillance to safeguard territories
Nigeria has condemned the attempted coup in the Benin Republic and reaffirmed its support for President Patrice Talon, even as the Federal Government deployed fighter jets to monitor the unfolding situation across its western border.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson of the ministry.
This followed reports indicating that Nigerian military aircraft were deployed in some border areas with Benin after an alleged takeover attempt by a group of soldiers claiming to have removed President Talon from office.
Security sources confirmed that the aircraft took off from Lagos and were sighted in Benin Republic’s airspace as part of Nigeria’s heightened surveillance efforts.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a group of soldiers had earlier announced the dissolution of Benin’s government in an attempted coup.
The group, calling itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, declared the removal of the president and state institutions, naming Lt-Col Pascal Tigri as head of the military committee.
Tuggar said Nigeria received the news with “grave concern” and condemned in strong terms the attempted seizure of power in what he described as a friendly and brotherly nation.
He described the move as destabilising and a direct assault on democracy, constitutional order, and the collective will of the Beninese people, who, he noted, have consistently demonstrated their commitment to peaceful political transitions.
“Nigeria stands in firm solidarity with the Government and people of Benin, and applauds the swift action taken by Beninese authorities to protect legitimate institutions and preserve peace,” he said.
He commended the professionalism of Benin’s security forces in defending constitutional order and ensuring the safety of President Talon, adding that their efforts ensured the attempt to subvert democracy was decisively thwarted.
Tuggar reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to democracy, good governance and the rule of law as pillars of peace and regional stability. He stressed that unconstitutional changes of government are unacceptable and pose a threat to the democratic gains recorded within the sub-region.
He further urged ECOWAS member-states and the international community to unanimously condemn the act and reaffirm their commitment to the African Union Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, as well as the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
He also called on all parties in Benin to remain calm, uphold the rule of law and ensure that political issues are resolved through democratic and constitutional means. Nigeria, he added, remains fully supportive of Benin as both nations continue to work together to strengthen democracy, peace and prosperity in West Africa.
The attempted coup comes amid Benin’s history of multiple coups in the decades following independence from France in 1960. President Talon, who has been in office since 2016, had earlier stated his intention to leave office in April 2026 after the presidential election.
In September 2024, the Commander of the Republican Guard and head of Talon’s security, Djimon Tevoedjre, was arrested over an earlier attempted coup.
At the time of filing the report, there was no official confirmation of the success of the alleged takeover. If confirmed, Benin would become the latest West African country to fall under military rule.
However, the government of Benin says it has foiled the attempted coup.
“The Beninese armed forces and their leadership, true to their oath, remained committed to the republic,” Interior Minister Alassane Seidou said in a televised address.
Earlier on Sunday, a group of soldiers made a broadcast in which they said they had ousted President Patrice Talon.
Eyewitnesses told the BBC that they had heard gunshots, and some journalists working for the state broadcaster had been held hostage.
A presidential adviser, meanwhile, told journalists that the president was in a safe location.
Seidou said in his address that, “a small group of soldiers launched a mutiny aimed at destabilising the state and its institutions”, adding that loyalist soldiers had been able “to retain control of the situation and foil the attempt”.
Fourteen people have been arrested in connection with the attempted coup, government spokesperson Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji told also news agency, Reuters.
A journalist in Benin told the BBC that, of those reportedly arrested, 12 are believed to have stormed the offices of the national TV station – including a soldier who had previously been sacked.
Meanwhile, Nigerian military sources told journalists that the deployment of fighter aircraft was a precautionary measure aimed at assessing potential security threats and safeguarding Nigeria’s national interests.
“The aircraft have already arrived in Benin Republic.
“Nigeria is closely monitoring developments and evaluating potential risks.
“This is not an offensive operation but a strategic response to unfolding events,” a senior security official said.
The coup group, identifying itself as the Military Committee for Rebuilding, reportedly announced the suspension of the November 2025 Constitution, dissolution of state institutions, suspension of political party activities and closure of all borders.
Nigeria shares a long and porous border with Benin, making developments in the neighbouring country a direct security concern for Abuja.
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