Benin’s President Patrice Talon has announced that after a group of soldiers claimed to have overthrown his government, the situation has returned to normal. He reassured citizens to resume their activities without fear and promised that all those involved in the attempt will be punished.
Patrice Talon delivered this message in a speech on Sunday, following earlier claims from a group of soldiers that they had taken over power.
In his statement broadcast live on the national television, President Talon said: “I want to thank our military forces and their leaders who have remained loyal to the nation.”
This message came after loud explosions were heard in the capital city, Cotonou, near the main government headquarters, believed to have been caused by an airstrike.
Reports indicated that aircraft from neighboring Nigeria entered Benin, and Nigeria’s Presidential Spokesperson later confirmed that Nigerian fighter jets were deployed “to help drive away the coup plotters who had taken positions at the national broadcaster and at a military base.”
President Patrice Talon, who is 67 years old, said in his message that loyalist forces “removed from the path those violent rebels.”
He added: “Their dedication and mobilization helped us defeat these opportunists who wanted to plunge our country into danger. This betrayal will not go unpunished.”
Addressing the citizens, he continued: “I want to reassure you that the situation is under full control, and I encourage you to peacefully resume your work starting this evening.”
It remains unclear whether there were fatalities during the operation to restore order, but the President expressed condolences “to those who lost their lives in this senseless act and to those still held by the fleeing insurgents.”
Earlier, the Government Spokesperson, Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji, told the British news agency Reuters that 14 people had been arrested in connection with the attempted coup.
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