Benin coup attempt: Hunt for plotters as two hostages reportedly freed

At least two senior military officials taken hostage during Sunday's attempted coup in Benin have been freed, a government source has told the BBC. It remains unclear how they were released or if other hostages are still being held.

Security forces are continuing to hunt for those involved in the plot, who remain at large. A group of soldiers appeared on state TV early in the morning to announce they had taken over in the West African country, and gunfire was heard near the presidential residence.

However, President Patrice Talon later announced that the situation is "totally under control". Regional power Nigeria assisted in thwarting the mutiny, saying its fighter jets had helped "dislodge the coup plotters from the National TV and a military camp" following a request from Benin's government.

On Sunday afternoon, huge explosions were heard in Cotonou, Benin's largest city and seat of government. They were thought to have been the result of an air strike.

Earlier on Sunday, Benin government spokesperson Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji told the Reuters news agency that 14 people had been arrested in connection with the attempted coup. A journalist in Benin also told the BBC that 12 of those reportedly arrested were believed to have stormed the offices of the national TV station - including a soldier who had previously been sacked.

The coup plotters said they were led by Lt Col Pascal Tigri, whose whereabouts are unknown. In Sunday's national address, the 67-year-old president said that loyalist forces had "cleared the last pockets of resistance held by the mutineers".

Ugh I'm literally shaking just thinking about this news !! Those poor hostages and innocent bystanders who got caught in the middle of all this chaos . Two senior military officials were taken hostage, can you even imagine how terrifying that must've been for them?! And now they're free, thank god . But what's really getting me is those explosions in Cotonou... I mean, what kind of situation are we living in where air strikes have to be used to stop a coup?! It's like we're stuck in some kind of sci-fi movie . And those soldiers who took over the TV station? Unbelievable . Who does that?! The president just brushed it off like everything is fine, but I know how hard it must've been for him and his team to deal with this crisis . And Nigeria stepping in to help... that's what friends are for, right?! But still, the fact that there were huge explosions and gunfire near the presidential residence? This is just getting too intense .

just hope those hostages are safe now ️ still so worried about those soldiers involved in the plot think regional help like Nigeria's intervention was super crucial benin is lucky to have friends like that meanwhile, huge explosions were terrifying can't believe 14 people got arrested in connection with it col pascal tigri sounds like a major suspect anyone know what's next for benin?

OMG I'M SO RELIEF THAT THOSE SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN FREED!!! IT'S LIKE A HUGE WEIGHT HAS BEEN LIFTED OFF BENIN'S SHOULDERS THE FACT THAT NIGERIA TOOK ACTION AND HELPED DISLODGE THE COUP PLOTTERS IS JUST AMAZING I MEAN WHO WANTS COUP PLotters RUNNING AROUND? NOT ME, THAT'S FOR SURE! I HOPE THE PEOPLE OF BENIN CAN GET BACK TO THEIR NORMAL LIVES NOW. AND LET'S BE REAL, PRESIDENT PATRICE TALON LOOKS LIKE HE'S BEEN ON EDGE ALL DAY BUT I'M GLAD HE STOOD TALL AND SAID IT WAS ALL UNDER CONTROL

I'm so relieved to hear that at least two senior military officials were freed from those crazy coup plotters ! It just goes to show that even in the darkest moments, there's always a glimmer of hope. I mean, Nigeria stepped in and helped put an end to the chaos - talk about regional solidarity !

And let's be real, it's all over now . President Patrice Talon seems confident (and rightfully so) that everything is under control . We should all take a deep breath and celebrate that no one lost their lives in the aftermath of this attempted coup.

It's crazy to think about what could've happened if those explosives had taken off ! But thankfully, our brave Beninese soldiers and Nigerian friends were on top of it . Here's to a peaceful resolution and a better future for everyone involved

think it's wild how Nigeria just swooped in and saved Benin from a potential disaster i mean we all know Africa has issues, but it's great to see some countries looking out for each other like that what really gets me though is how quickly the situation was back under control after those huge explosions went off in Cotonou - it's almost like they knew exactly what they were doing and btw where were all these coupmakers hiding? it's pretty suspicious that 12 of those arrested were believed to be the ones who stormed the national TV station... sounds fishy

omg what a close call for benin !! i mean, it's super concerning that at least 2 senior military officials got taken hostage. but i'm glad to hear they're free now ! still no word on how they were released tho... fingers crossed the rest of the hostages are safe too . and ugh, huge explosions in cotonou? that sounds like a total nightmare . benin's military is pretty stable under patrice talon tho, so i guess it's good that nigeria was able to help out . anyway, hopefully the ppl involved get brought to justice soon

OMG what a crazy situation in Benin!!! I'm so relieved to hear that at least 2 senior military officials were freed tho . That's like, total drama unfolding on live TV . And can you believe the explosions?! Huge air strike? My heart is still racing just thinking about it . Nigeria stepping in and helping out is a big deal too . I feel bad for the hostages who are still being held tho . Can't wait to see how this whole thing plays out... will justice be served?

OMG, what a crazy day in Benin! Like, I was totally glued to my screen watching the events unfold. It's insane how quickly things escalated - from soldiers taking over the national TV station to huge explosions rocking Cotonou. And now, it seems like at least two senior military officials have been freed? Fingers crossed for the rest of those still being held captive.

I'm also loving how President Patrice Talon kept his cool, saying the situation is "totally under control" . And kudos to Nigeria for lending a helping hand - it's clear their fighter jets made all the difference in disarming the coup plotters. Lt Col Pascal Tigri's whereabouts are still unknown, but I'm sure security forces will get him eventually. It's like something straight out of a movie... and I kinda want to see how this whole story unfolds

OMG u guyz i cant even right now !! so i was just thinking about this coup in benin and like how can one man decide to take over a whole country ???! i mean dont get me wrong patrice talon is doin a great job as president but come on how does it go from peace to gunpowder in like 2 seconds ??!

and the fact that nigeria had to step in and help out benin is just wild i mean we all know africa is all about support each other but lol Nigeria being like "hey imma send some jets over here cuz" sounds kinda familiar lol.

anyway back to the hostages i was so relieved to hear that at least 2 senior military officials were freed it's like u never see those guys again after they're done serving and then BAM they get taken hostage in a coup

and can someone pls explain to me how this whole thing went down tho like who was behind it and why ?? the more i hear about it the more confused i am

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole thing... Like, what even is going on in Benin right now? First, you got these senior military officials taken hostage, and then they just magically get freed without anyone knowing how it went down. That's some crazy, out-of-left-field stuff. And the fact that Nigeria had to step in and help out with an air strike... It feels like a real-life video game over there. I mean, who tries to stage a coup in Benin? What's going on in that country that everyone else is just sitting back and letting it happen?

This whole situation in Benin is so crazy! I mean, I'm glad those two senior military officials were freed but it's still super scary thinking about what could've happened. The explosions in Cotonou are giving me major anxiety . It's wild that Nigeria got involved and helped put a stop to the coup - we're really lucky to have them as a regional power .

I'm trying to stay updated on this situation, but it feels like it's all so unpredictable... Will those behind the coup get caught? And what does this mean for Benin now? So many questions .

OMG, I'm so relieved that those senior military officials were freed!!! This attempted coup in Benin is just too much to handle... I mean, who wants their country to be plunged into chaos like that? At least Nigeria stepped in and helped out, I guess that's one less headache for them. But still, can't believe all those explosions in Cotonou and people getting arrested... it's just so disturbing And what was the point of that air strike? Were they trying to scare everyone into submission or something? Ugh, just thinking about this is giving me anxiety

Just had to watch this video of state TV where soldiers in uniforms without IDs announce they're in charge... weird, right? How can you trust anyone who's not showing their face? Anyway, glad some senior military officials were freed. Hope those involved are brought to justice soon

I'm so glad to hear that some of those senior military officials have been freed . It's always a nightmare when these situations happen, and it's great to know that some people are safe again. But still, I don't get why all this drama had to go down in Benin, you know? It's like, can't we just get along for once?

And I was reading about how Nigeria helped out with the situation by providing air support... that's crazy! I mean, I'm glad they were able to help stabilize the country and all, but still, it feels like Benin is getting a bit of an unfair deal here. They're basically being treated like they need someone else to save them from themselves, you know?

But anyway, it's great that President Patrice Talon seems confident in his government's ability to handle the situation... fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly from here on out . And those explosions in Cotonou, wow! That was some serious drama unfolding over there... I hope no one got hurt too badly .

Oh wait, I remember reading somewhere that 14 people had been arrested in connection with this whole thing... and only 12 of them were thought to have stormed the national TV station? What's up with that? Shouldn't all those people who were involved get held accountable for their actions?

Anyway, let's hope that Lt Col Pascal Tigri gets caught soon, and we can finally put this whole ordeal behind us . Fingers crossed for Benin, and for a peaceful resolution to all of this!

just wondering how the african region handles coups and what kind of training those soldiers get for taking over a country... like, is it even a thing to be a soldier in benin? seems like something that should have been addressed long ago. also, can we get some updates on what really happened during that national address by president talon? sounds kinda scripted

Just wondering, do you think the whole situation in Benin was handled relatively well considering the attempted coup? Like, it sounds like Nigeria came through to help and all... But at the same time, I'm not sure about the official statement from President Patrice Talon saying everything is "totally under control" - does that sound a bit too reassuring to you? Maybe it's just me being cautious . And what's with the huge explosions in Cotonou on Sunday afternoon? Are those gonna be an issue for Benin's recovery and all?

man, benin is like such a tiny country but it just shows how connected and global our world is when nigeria was all like 'hey we got your back' during this coup attempt in benin it's crazy to think that something so intense could happen in the middle of africa... but at the same time i'm not surprised, power struggles have been going on forever in west africa. anyway, its good to hear that those hostages were freed but like, what was going through their minds when they were being held captive? and who's gonna take responsibility for the whole thing now? col pascal tigri is like some sort of ghost, lol

I'm really glad to hear that those senior military officials were freed... it's just another example of how things can take a dark turn and then quickly turn around. My grandkids always ask me about coups, what they are and why do people do this kind of thing... you know, when some group takes over the government by force... anyway, in Benin's case, Nigeria stepping in was a big help... their jets really came to the rescue! Still, I worry about those who were caught up in all that chaos... hope they get back on their feet soon. The fact that President Talon said everything is "totally under control" is reassuring... fingers crossed it stays that way

omg what's going on in benin i was watching the news and it looked super intense! so like they took over the government for a sec but then nigeria helped them stop it? and now some people are still missing and that's kinda sad why do things like this happen though? and btw what's with all the explosions in cotonou? was it really an air strike or something else?