On Sunday, December 7, 2025, the West African nation of Benin Republic experienced an attempted military coup, as a group of soldiers, identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), appeared on national television to declare the removal of President Patrice Talon and the dissolution of all state institutions. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, the group claimed to have seized control, with reports of gunfire near the president’s official residence at Camp Guezo and announcements of closed borders and suspended political parties.

However, the Beninese presidency swiftly countered these claims, asserting that President Talon was safe and that the regular army was in the process of regaining control, describing the plotters as a “small group of people who only control the television.” Later, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou officially announced that the country’s armed forces had successfully foiled the mutiny, aimed at destabilizing the nation. President Talon subsequently addressed the public, confirming that the situation was “totally under control” and attributing the failed takeover to a small group of soldiers.

In response to the crisis, the Republic of Benin made two separate requests for intervention from neighboring Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria acted on these requests, initially ordering Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter Beninese airspace to dislodge coup plotters from the national TV station and a military camp where they had regrouped. Flight-tracking data confirmed the presence of Nigerian military aircraft over Benin, and huge explosions were reported in Cotonou, believed to be the result of these airstrikes. The Nigerian Air Force later conducted further strikes on fleeing plotters in armoured vehicles. Additionally, Benin requested the deployment of Nigerian ground forces for surveillance, rapid intervention, and the protection of constitutional institutions, a request which Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed had been fulfilled.

The Nigerian government strongly condemned the attempted coup, with President Tinubu commending the gallantry of the Nigerian armed forces for protecting Benin’s 35-year-old democracy in line with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the coup attempt as a “direct assault on democracy, constitutional order, and the collective will of the Beninese people,” reiterating Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to democratic principles and offering full support to Benin.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also expressed “consternation” over the attempted military takeover, condemning it as a “subversion” of constitutional order. ECOWAS called for full respect of Benin’s Constitution, saluted the efforts of the Beninese government and army, and warned that the leaders of the plot would be held responsible for any loss of life and property. Following consultations at the heads of state level, the ECOWAS Commission ordered the immediate deployment of elements of its standby force, comprising troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, to support the Beninese government and republican army in preserving constitutional order and territorial integrity.

This coup attempt in Benin occurred about two weeks after a successful military takeover in Guinea-Bissau, adding to a growing list of coups in West Africa, which includes Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. This pattern has heightened regional security concerns. Notably, the incident in Benin also followed earlier legal action in January 2025, where two associates of President Talon were sentenced to 20 years in prison for allegedly conspiring against state security and corruption.