An attempted military takeover in Benin spiralled into violence on Sunday after soldiers linked to the plot reportedly barricaded themselves inside Tignon Barracks near Cotonou.
Explosions and sporadic gunfire were heard early in the morning at the military facility about six kilometres from Cotonou airport. Investigator Casus Belli said the disturbances followed the collapse of the attempted coup.
Local sources told Belli that several mutinous officers, realising the operation had failed, were seen hurriedly removing their uniforms and changing into civilian clothes in a bid to avoid arrest.
The takeover bid was reportedly led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, who was presented as head of a self styled Military Committee for Refoundation during a brief broadcast on national television at dawn.
During the announcement, the mutineers declared the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of President Patrice Talon’s administration before the broadcast was abruptly cut.
Hours later, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou addressed the nation in a recorded statement, announcing that the coup had been foiled and insisting that loyal forces had regained control.
The minister told citizens that order was being restored but did not provide details on Tigri’s whereabouts. Security sources told SaharaReporters that the alleged leader of the plot may already have fled and could be on the run.
Despite official assurances, the situation around Tignon Barracks remained tense throughout the day. Residents in surrounding areas reported hearing blasts and bursts of automatic fire well into the afternoon.
Others said they saw armed soldiers without insignia moving through nearby streets carrying bags and searching for discreet escape routes.
Belli said a group of coup leaders were believed to have taken refuge inside the barracks, while Tigri was reportedly being hunted by Beninese authorities. He added that some soldiers were changing into civilian clothes in order to flee and evade arrest.
Earlier in the day, Belli reported that three unidentified aircraft were detected on flight radar arriving in Cotonou. He said two of the aircraft appeared to have come from Nigeria, while a military transport aircraft arrived from Ivory Coast.
The attempted coup has sent shockwaves through Benin, a country often regarded as one of West Africa’s most predictable democracies. Regional bodies including ECOWAS and the African Union swiftly condemned the mutiny, calling for respect for constitutional order and civilian rule.
Security analysts say the coming hours will be critical in determining whether the situation has fully stabilised or whether the barracks could become the scene of a final confrontation between loyalist forces and plotters refusing to surrender.
As evening fell over Cotonou, uncertainty persisted. The number of soldiers still barricaded inside Tignon Barracks remained unclear as military checkpoints continued to spread across the city.
