Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri the alleged leader of the December 2025 failed coup in Benin has reportedly fled to neighboring Lomé Togo Authorities in Cotonou have declared him wanted and are preparing an official extradition request escalating regional political tensions .
The Abortive Coup A Day of Instability
In a swift and ultimately unsuccessful bid to overthrow the constitutional government a group of soldiers in Benin launched a coup attempt on Sunday December 7 2025 The mutiny which began in the early hours of the morning was led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri an officer who until that day was relatively obscure in the national spotlight .
The plotters identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation seized the national television station ORTB in Cotonou Flanked by armed servicemen Lt Col Tigri appeared on air to make the fateful announcement President Patrice Talon had been removed the government was dissolved and all state institutions were suspended For a few tense hours the West African nation known for its multi-party democratic stability following decades of military rule teetered on the brink of another military takeover part of a worrying trend across the West African region .
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The Swift Suppression by Loyalist Forces
The attempted putsch was met with an immediate and decisive response from forces loyal to President Talon The Beninese Armed Forces backed by strong regional support moved quickly to suppress the mutiny Gunfire was reported in parts of Cotonou including near the presidential residence as loyalist troops engaged the rebels .
Crucially the government of Benin in a show of commitment to constitutional order formally requested military assistance from its neighbor Nigeria Nigerian air and ground units were deployed playing a vital role in dislodging the mutineers from the state broadcasters headquarters and a key military base Camp Togbin The regional bloc the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS also deployed elements of its standby force including troops from Nigeria Ghana Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone further signaling the regional determination to uphold democracy .
Within hours Interior Minister Alassane Seidou announced that the coup had been thwarted President Talon later appeared publicly condemning the senseless adventure and vowing that the perpetrators would be punished At least 14 plotters including 12 active-duty soldiers were arrested in the immediate aftermath though the highest-profile figure remained at large .
The Escape to Lomé A Regional Crisis
Following the collapse of the coup a frantic search began for the ringleader Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri Intelligence sources and later media reports indicated that Tigri along with other fugitive soldiers had managed to escape across the border to neighboring Togo taking refuge in the capital Lomé Specifically he is believed to be hiding in a neighborhood near the Togolese Presidents residence .
Tigris flight to Lomé immediately adds a new dimension of complexity to the incident transforming an internal security matter into a regional diplomatic challenge The Beninese government has swiftly declared Tigri and his remaining associates wanted seeking their immediate apprehension .
The Extradition Demand and Regional Dynamics
Benins next logical step is to issue an official request for Tigris extradition from Togo a process likely to be handled through diplomatic channels and possibly via an Interpol Red Notice The relationship between Benin and Togo will be tested by this request Given the positive bilateral relations and Togos membership in ECOWAS a body that vehemently condemned the coup Cotonou is optimistic that Lomé will cooperate .
However the political landscape of West Africa complicates the matter The region has seen a wave of successful coups in recent years including in Mali Burkina Faso and Niger Should Tigri manage to evade Togolese authorities and flee further north to one of the Sahelian states particularly those recently led by military juntas whose relations with ECOWAS have deteriorated the situation could become significantly more protracted Any nation offering him refuge would likely strain relations with Benin potentially creating a nucleus for opposition structures against President Talons administration especially ahead of Benins pivotal 2026 elections .
Background and Coup Motivation
Lieutenant Colonel Tigris motives and those of the Military Committee for Refoundation were partly articulated in their brief broadcast They reportedly criticized President Talons management of the country specifically citing .
- Deteriorating Security Concerns over the continuous decline of the security situation in northern Benin a region facing an increasing threat from jihadist groups .
- Neglect of the Military Claims of neglect toward soldiers who had fallen at the front .
- Perceived Dictatorship A broader justification that they sought to free the people from dictatorship reflecting a sentiment among critics that Talon had systematically eroded Benins democratic institutions since taking office in 2016 .
This failed coup while brief highlights the deep political fractures within Benin and underscores the fragility of democracy across the West African coast where regional actors particularly Nigeria are demonstrating a renewed commitment to military intervention to uphold constitutional order The capture and extradition of Pascal Tigri will be the next crucial step in Cotonous efforts to fully restore order and project strength against future destabilization attempts .
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources concerning the failed military coup in Benin and the flight of its alleged leader Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets government statements and security agencies for the most current and verified details on this developing regional situation .