Benin Coup: Trending Video Shows Rebels Reportedly Firing at Jet Tinubu Sent
- A joint military force, comprising the Beninese army, the Nigerian Air Force, and French forces, foiled another coup attempt in the country's Sahel region
- The rebel soldiers, led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, justified their actions by criticising President Patrice Talon’s management of the Benin Republic
- Amid President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria's assistance, coup plotters reportedly fired at what appeared to be an NAF fighter jet on Sunday, December 7
Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering world news.
Cotonou, Benin Republic - A video has emerged reportedly showing Benin coupists attempting to down a Nigerian attack aircraft.
International media outlet RT shared a clip of the purported attack on Monday, December 8.
Source: Twitter
'Benin coupists' reportedly shoot at Nigerian jet
In the 10-second clip, what looked like a military aircraft could be seen in the sky.
Shots could be heard in the background, with the news outlet claiming Benin coupists had attempted to hit a Nigerian Air Force jet.
The post on X can be watched below:
Benin coup thwarted amid Talon's presidency
Legit.ng had reported how President Patrice Talon's government experienced an attempted coup on Sunday morning, December 7.
Subsequently, Talon appeared live on TV to reassure citizens of the West African nation that the situation was now 'totally under control'.
Patrice Talon said, looking somewhat calm during the live broadcast:
"I would like to commend the sense of duty demonstrated by our army and its leaders, who have remained... loyal to the nation."
The government stated that it had thwarted the mutiny hours after a group of soldiers declared a takeover on national television.
A joint military force comprising the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Beninese army, and the French military foiled the coup attempt.
Huge explosions were heard in Cotonou, Benin's largest city and seat of government, which were thought to have been the result of an air strike.
The extent of the damage is not clear.
Source: Twitter
Before the explosions, flight-tracking data showed that three aircraft entered Benin’s airspace from neighbouring Nigeria.
The Guardian reported on Monday, December 8, that two jets have since returned to the Nigerian city of Lagos, and a third appears to be heading towards an airbase in Kanji in Niger State.
At one stage, two of the aircraft were flying side by side, which analysts suggest indicates that they were indeed military planes.
Hunt for Benin coup plotters underway
Meanwhile, security forces in Benin are searching for the soldiers who tried to seize power, with President Talon saying they have taken an unknown number of hostages.
Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji, the spokesperson of the Beninese government, told Reuters that 14 people had been arrested in connection with the attempted coup.
In the same vein, 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.
The coup plotters said they were led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Read more on the Benin Republic coup:
- "What we did in Benin Republic": Nigerian Air Force speaks after attempted coup
- Atiku breaks silence on Benin Republic coup attempt
Atiku reacts to Benin coup
Legit.ng earlier reported that former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, had strongly condemned Sunday’s attempted Benin coup.
The presidential hopeful warned that the growing pattern of military intervention in the region posed a threat to democracy in West Africa.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
