. Three military aircraft deployed in Cotonou, return to Nigeria after launching airstrikes on coupists’ barracks
. Why we intervened – AirForce spokesman
As part of the efforts to foil Sunday’s early morning coup in neighbouring Benin Republic, the Nigerian AirForce launched some air strikes on the stronghold of the soldiers behind the putsch in Cotonou, the Francophone West African country’s commercial capital.
According to the BBC, during the airstrikes, NAF fighter jets hit targets in Cotonou and loud explosions were heard across the city.
It was gathered that the strikes by the NAF fighter jets were carried out in apparent coordination with Beninese authorities working to contain Sunday’s attempted coup.
NAF was said to have deployed the fighter jets to restore democratic order in Benin Republic.
Reports say the Nigerian fighter jets launched airstrikes on the Togbin military base in Cotonou.
But this claim couldn’t be verified by our reporters.
Meanwhile, the situation in Cotonou, the commercial capital of Benin Republic, remains uncertain.
Late on Sunday afternoon, huge explosions were heard in Cotonou.
Before the explosions, flight-tracking data reportedly showed that three NAF fighter jets entered Benin Republic’s airspace from neighbouring Nigeria.
But while two of the fighter jets have since returned to Lagos, the third appeared to be heading towards the NAF airbase in Kanji. At a point, two of the aircraft were flying side by side, a situation analysts suggest indicates they were military planes.
Also at the same time, a French AirForce plane was seen maintaining a circular pattern over Cotonou. French diplomats have denied earlier reports that Talon had taken refuge at France’s embassy in Cotonou.
Earlier on Sunday, a group of soldiers appeared on Benin’s state television announcing the dissolution of the democratically elected government of President Patrice Talon.
The mutineers took over the National TV station after failing to enter President Talon’s residence.
But they declared the overthrow of President Talon, who has led the country since 2016, along with the suspension of all state institutions.
The soldiers, who identified themselves as members of the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), said the committee had met and resolved that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic”.
The coupists, who also announced a suspension of the constitution and closure of all land borders and the country’s airspace, announced that Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri Pascal will be leading a military transition council.
At the time of the announcement, the whereabouts of President Talon was unclear.
The French Embassy, in a tweet on X, wrote that gunfire was heard at Camp Guezo, located near the president’s official residence, advising French citizens to stay indoors for their safety.
The government soon announced that the coup had been foiled.
Commenting on the role of the Nigerian AirForce in the Benin Republic coup attempt, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed that the NAF conducted operations in Benin.
“The Nigerian Air Force has operated in the Republic of Benin in line with ECOWAS protocols and the ECOWAS Standby Force mandate,” AFP the NAF spokesman to have said.
Meanwhile, amid the confusion that followed the announcement of a coup in Benin, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had said it could deploy its regional standby force to defend the West African country, if necessary.
ECOWAS pledged to support the government and people of Benin Republic in all forms necessary, including military deployment in the country to defend its constitution and territorial integrity.
According to the statement, “ECOWAS Commission has received with consternation reports of an attempted military take-over in the Republic of Benin. ECOWAS strongly condemns this unconstitutional move that represents a subversion of the will of the people of Benin.
“ECOWAS will support the government and the people in all forms necessary, including the deployment of the regional standby force, to defend the constitution and the territorial integrity of Benin.”
