Nigerian Airstrikes Help Thwart Coup Attempt in Neighboring Benin

Nigerian fighter jets carried out airstrikes that helped stop a short-lived coup attempt in Benin, the Beninese government said on Monday.

According to a government summary, mutinying soldiers from the Togbin military base moved before dawn to try to seize President Patrice Talon. They reached Talon’s neighbourhood, clashed with the Republican Guard and briefly seized the state television station. Two senior officers were also kidnapped and later freed, the statement said.

Nigeria acknowledged it had sent both fighter jets and ground troops to its much smaller neighbour to help restore order, aiming to prevent a political crisis in a country that faces threats from jihadist groups and is an important trade corridor for West Africa. Benin’s account said the Nigerian airstrikes immobilised armoured vehicles and helped stop the mutiny without causing reported civilian deaths.

A special force from Ivory Coast also arrived late on Sunday and took up positions in Cotonou “for further action if necessary,” Benin’s statement said. Authorities have not given a full death toll but said there were casualties “on both sides” during the clashes.

The government named the apparent coup leader as Colonel Tigri Pascal, whose whereabouts were unknown after the fighting. President Talon, who watched some of the violence unfold, said the armed forces had cleared out the plotters and vowed they would be punished. Benin is preparing for a presidential election in April that would mark the end of Talon’s second term.

Analysts say Nigeria’s rapid intervention signals how seriously it views instability on its borders. A collapse of order in Benin could worsen cross-border insecurity and illicit flows that would affect Nigeria’s economy and regional security, specialists told Reuters.

The attempt adds to a wave of recent unrest in West Africa, where coups and mutinies have raised concern among regional and global powers. For now, Benin’s government says it has re-established control, but officials and residents remain on alert while security forces search for suspects and investigate the events.