Benin’s security forces have arrested 13 individuals in connection with a foiled coup attempt, military and security sources confirmed on Sunday.
The plot, which sent ripples of tension through the coastal West African nation, was uncovered before it could be executed.
According to the sources who spoke to AFP, the majority of those detained are soldiers currently in active service. Only one of the 13 is reported to be a former military member.
The arrests include the alleged ringleaders of the planned operation.
The news follows rumors of instability that circulated in the commercial capital, Cotonou, on Sunday. Images from the city showed motorists navigating streets amid the heightened security alert.
The attempted coup in Benin, a country seen as a relatively stable democracy in a region plagued by recent military takeovers, has drawn swift condemnation from regional bodies. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued a statement denouncing any attempt to seize power unconstitutionally.
Authorities have not yet released an official statement detailing the plot or the identities of those arrested. The investigation is ongoing, and further updates are expected.
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