Around a dozen soldiers have been arrested in Benin following an attempted coup, including the ringleaders of the foiled operation, military and security sources said.

One source said 13 arrests had been made, with another adding that all the detainees are serving soldiers except one, who is a former member of the armed forces.

The arrests followed a broadcast on Benin’s national television on Sunday morning, in which a group of military officers announced the removal of President Patrice Talon and the dissolution of all state institutions.

The officers, identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation, claimed they had seized power.

However, the presidency told AFP that President Talon is safe and that loyalist forces are restoring order.

The government described the incident as the work of “a small group” with limited influence.

“This is a small group of people who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure,” the presidency said.

AFP