Trending 
Benin’s government says an attempted coup has been foiled after a small group of soldiers briefly seized the national television station in the early hours of Sunday.
In a brief address on national television, the Minister of the Interior, Alassane Seidou, confirmed the coup attempt had failed and assured citizens that stability had been restored.
“A small group of soldiers launched a mutiny to destabilise the country and its institutions,” said Alassane Seidou.
“Faced with this situation, the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership maintained control of the situation and foiled the attempt,” he added.
According to him, about ten soldiers stormed the state broadcaster before dawn and made a televised declaration claiming they had taken power. The episode triggered swift action from the national armed forces and the Republican Guard, who moved in and surrounded the group by around 9 a.m. local time.
Security officials say the operation ended without escalating into wider violence, and the soldiers involved were dislodged within hours.
President Patrice Talon was not harmed during the incident and is reportedly safe at home. Officials also urged the public to remain calm, adding that investigations are underway to determine the motives and identities of those behind the attempted destabilisation.
More updates are expected as the situation develops.
