A senior government official in Benin has told the BBC that the leader of Sunday’s failed coup is taking refuge in neighbouring Togo.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said that the government would request Lt Col Pascal Tigri's extradition. Togo's government has not yet commented.
The failed coup followed a series of military takeovers in West Africa, raising concerns over the stability of democracy in the region.
This attempt was thwarted after Nigeria deployed fighter jets to assist loyalist troops in regaining control over military installations and state media offices following a plea from President Patrice Talon.
A group of soldiers had appeared on state television to announce their takeover, and witnesses reported gunfire near the presidential residence.
French special forces were also said to have supported loyal troops in counteracting the coup attempt, according to the head of Benin’s republican guard.
Dieudonne Djimon Tevoedjre stated, Benin's troops were truly valiant and faced the enemy all day. He noted that while French support came from Ivory Coast, some officials maintain that France primarily offered intelligence assistance.
“We will make an official extradition request and see how the Togolese authorities will react,” the anonymous official added, confirming that Tigri was in Lomé, Togo's capital, which is also the residence of President Faure Gnassingbé.
The attempted coup has been condemned by West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS, which has also mobilized troops from several member nations to secure critical sites in Benin.
Despite being a former French colony often recognized for its democratic stability, Benin has faced turbulence, leading to concerns over political suppression and military dissent. As elections approach, with Talon’s presidency concluding, the situation remains precarious.
