Benin Republic Coup Attempt: Fresh Update Emerges on Seized Hostages Amid Talon's Presidency
- At least two military officials taken hostage during the recent attempted coup in Benin Republic are now free men
- As the manhunt for some military officials allegedly responsible for the coup attempt in Benin continues, Tigri Pascal, the leader of the coup, has been declared wanted
- Pascal, a lieutenant colonel, was declared wanted alongside two other soldiers, Ousmane Samary and Sambieni Castro
Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering world news.
Cotonou, Benin Republic - Two senior military officials taken hostage during the recent attempted coup in Benin Republic have been freed.
The BBC said in a report on Monday, December 8, that a government source divulged the information to it.
Source: Twitter
It remains unclear how they were released or if other hostages are still being held.
Benin botched coup: France provides support
In the interval, an aide to President Emmanuel Macron of France disclosed that France provided logistical support and surveillance assistance to help the West African state in response to the coup attempt that was foiled on Sunday, December 7.
France 24 noted this in a report on Tuesday, December 9.
Macron led a "coordination effort" by speaking with key regional leaders, while, at the request of the Beninese authorities, France provided assistance "in terms of surveillance, observation and logistical support" to the Benin armed forces.
Further details on the nature of the assistance were not immediately available.
Coup attempt: Calm returns to Benin
Calm has returned to Cotonou, Benin’s administrative centre, after sporadic gunshots were heard across the city throughout Sunday, December 7, but a heavy presence of soldiers remained on the streets.
Early on Sunday, December 7, soldiers calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation declared on state television they had toppled Talon, who has been in power since 2016, prompting a swift response from loyal army forces.
Talon first took office in 2016 and was re-elected in 2021. The 67-year-old's second and final tenure is expected to end in April 2026.
Source: Twitter
Benin coup: Tinubu writes Senate
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has written to the Nigerian Senate requesting consent for the deployment of Nigerian troops to Benin Republic for a peace mission.
Tinubu explained that the move is in response to the attempted coup in Benin.
Godwin Akpabio, the Senate President, made this known while reading Tinubu’s letter during plenary on Tuesday, December 9.
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
Benin: Senate approves Tinubu’s request
Legit.ng earlier reported that the senate approved President Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to Benin Republic as part of a regional peace-stabilisation mission aimed at protecting democratic institutions and preventing an “unconstitutional seizure” of power.
Senators considered the broader security and humanitarian implications of the proposed mission, particularly the potential for a mass refugee influx into Nigeria should instability escalate in Benin, as well as the likely impact on already fragile border communities.
Source: Legit.ng
