Security forces in Benin are searching for the soldiers who tried to seize power on Sunday morning, with the president saying they have taken an unknown number of hostages.
The coup plotters appeared on state TV to announce they had taken over, and gunfire was heard near the presidential residence.
However, President Patrice Talon later announced that the situation was totally under control in the West African country.
Regional power Nigeria assisted in thwarting the mutiny, saying its fighter jets had helped dislodge the coup plotters from the National TV and a military camp following a request from Benin's government.
On Sunday afternoon, huge explosions were heard in Cotonou, Benin's largest city and seat of government. They were thought to have been the result of an air strike.
Flight-tracking data indicated that three aircraft entered Benin's airspace from Nigeria before returning home, with the extent of the damage still unclear.
Earlier on Sunday, a government spokesperson announced the arrest of 14 individuals connected to the coup attempt. Among the detained were reportedly soldiers who had stormed the national TV station, including one who had previously been dismissed from service.
The coup plotters identified themselves as being led by Lt Col Pascal Tigri, whose current whereabouts remain unknown. In his national address later that evening, President Talon assured the public that loyalist forces had cleared the last pockets of resistance held by the mutineers and that the situation was under control. He also expressed condolences to victims involved in the coup.
The recent coup attempt is part of a troubling trend in West Africa, which has seen increased military takeovers in countries like Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Niger. Despite being considered one of the more stable democracies in the region, Benin has faced criticism for President Talon's governance style, which includes suppressing dissent. As tensions remain high, Nigeria has condemned the coup attempt as an assault on democracy.
The coup plotters appeared on state TV to announce they had taken over, and gunfire was heard near the presidential residence.
However, President Patrice Talon later announced that the situation was totally under control in the West African country.
Regional power Nigeria assisted in thwarting the mutiny, saying its fighter jets had helped dislodge the coup plotters from the National TV and a military camp following a request from Benin's government.
On Sunday afternoon, huge explosions were heard in Cotonou, Benin's largest city and seat of government. They were thought to have been the result of an air strike.
Flight-tracking data indicated that three aircraft entered Benin's airspace from Nigeria before returning home, with the extent of the damage still unclear.
Earlier on Sunday, a government spokesperson announced the arrest of 14 individuals connected to the coup attempt. Among the detained were reportedly soldiers who had stormed the national TV station, including one who had previously been dismissed from service.
The coup plotters identified themselves as being led by Lt Col Pascal Tigri, whose current whereabouts remain unknown. In his national address later that evening, President Talon assured the public that loyalist forces had cleared the last pockets of resistance held by the mutineers and that the situation was under control. He also expressed condolences to victims involved in the coup.
The recent coup attempt is part of a troubling trend in West Africa, which has seen increased military takeovers in countries like Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Niger. Despite being considered one of the more stable democracies in the region, Benin has faced criticism for President Talon's governance style, which includes suppressing dissent. As tensions remain high, Nigeria has condemned the coup attempt as an assault on democracy.
