Cotonou, the commercial heartbeat of the Benin Republic, returned to calm after a tense and dramatic coup attempt was successfully repelled by loyalist Beninese forces with crucial support from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and a regional joint-security team. The attempted takeover, which unfolded in the early hours of Sunday, sent shockwaves across the country as mutinous soldiers tried to seize power from President Patrice Talon.
The Coup Attempt
The mutineers, identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation, stormed the national television station and announced that they had dissolved state institutions. Residents of Cotonou awoke to sounds of gunfire near the presidential residence as armoured vehicles moved through key parts of the capital. The uncertainty raised fears of instability in one of West Africa’s most economically stable democracies.
Swift Regional Response
Benin’s loyalist forces quickly mobilized and requested urgent regional military assistance under established security cooperation frameworks. Nigeria, Benin’s closest neighbour and one of West Africa’s strongest militaries, immediately responded.
NAF deployed fighter jets to support ground operations, conducting precision strikes aimed at dispersing and disabling the coup elements. These actions, coordinated with Beninese troops, prevented the plotters from seizing critical infrastructure or gaining momentum. Troops from the joint regional force later secured government buildings, communication centres, and key roadways.
By midday, the attempted coup had been decisively crushed, and order was restored across Cotonou.
Government Reassurance
President Talon later appeared on national television to assure citizens that the situation was under control. He condemned the attempted power grab, praised the swift response of loyal troops, and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peace and constitutional order. Authorities have since launched investigations and begun detaining individuals believed to have participated in or supported the mutiny.
Security officials described the intervention as a model example of regional cooperation, crediting Nigeria’s rapid deployment and the joint force’s coordination for stopping the coup before it escalated.
Why the Intervention Matters
The failed coup carries broader significance for West Africa, a region that has witnessed multiple military takeovers in recent years. The unified response sends a message that unconstitutional changes in government will face strong resistance, particularly from regional powers like Nigeria.
For Benin, the quick suppression of the plot reinforces confidence in its institutions and stabilizes its political climate ahead of crucial elections expected next year. Economically, the rapid return to normalcy will help prevent the kind of investor panic that often follows such upheavals.
What Happens Next
Beninese authorities are expected to intensify investigations, track down fleeing mutineers, and assess whether external actors played any role. Security has been tightened around key infrastructure, and intelligence agencies across the region are coordinating to prevent further destabilization attempts.
Despite the scare, the mood in Cotonou is one of relief. Businesses have reopened, traffic has resumed, and residents are returning to their daily routines—thankful that swift action prevented what could have become a prolonged crisis.
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