UPDATE - ECOWAS to deploy troops to Benin after coup attempt

UPDATES WITH NIGERIAN ARMY SUPPORT; ADDS 2ND DECK

By Mevlut Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday ordered the deployment of a regional standby force to Benin following a coup attempt.

It will include soldiers from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Ghana, according to a statement from the bloc.

The statement said the troops would help the Beninese government and army “preserve constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Benin.”

The deployment order follows a previous ECOWAS statement pledging to support Benin in defending its constitution and territorial integrity “in all forms necessary,” including the deployment of a regional standby force.

Nigeria has also deployed Air Force fighter jets to Benin following two separate requests from the Beninese government, according to a statement from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu's special adviser, Bayo Onanuga.

The first request, made through Benin's Foreign Ministry, sought immediate air support "in view of the urgency and seriousness of the situation” to help dislodge coup plotters from the national TV station and a military camp.

The second one asked for Nigerian air assets to conduct surveillance and rapid intervention operations, with coordination led by Benin.

Benin also requested Nigerian ground forces “strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority” to help protect constitutional institutions and contain armed groups, according to the statement.

A group of Beninese soldiers told the state broadcaster Sunday that they had removed President Patrice Talon from power and appointed Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri to lead a newly formed “Military Committee for Refoundation.”

Interior Minister Alassane Seidou, however, said on national television that the coup attempt by “a small group of soldiers” was foiled, urging citizens to carry on with their daily activities.

President Talon said later Sunday that the situation was “totally under control” following the coup attempt, telling citizens via state broadcaster Benin TV that they could resume their normal activities.

The coup attempt follows a military coup in Guinea-Bissau in late November, which installed Gen. Horta Inta-A as the transitional president.