President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, has broken his silence on Sunday’s attempted coup.
Talon, who spoke on national television, assured Beninoise citizens that “the situation is totally under control.”
He blamed the failed takeover on “a small group of soldiers.”
Some soldiers had, in a televised broadcast several hours earlier, announced that they had ousted Talon from power.
The coupists’ announcement sparked tension across the West African nation, prompting Nigeria to deploy troops and military aircraft.
Huge explosions were later heard in the late afternoon, believed to have resulted from airstrikes.
There have been a series of coups in West Africa prior to Sunday’s thwarted attempt in Benin, heightening fears that regional security could deteriorate further.
