Three people have been arrested over an alleged coup plot in Benin.
They include a former minister and the man in charge of President Patrice Talon’s security.
Ex-sports minister Oswald Homeky was arrested on Tuesday while handing over six bags of money to the head of the Republican Guard, Elonm Mario Metonou.
The state prosecutor told a news conference that the suspects include Col Djimon Dieudonne Tevoedjre who was being bribed not to resist a coup d’etat planned for Friday.
Also detained was a businessman, Olivier Boko – a friend of President Talon – who had recently indicated he had political ambitions.
Condemnation
Mr Boko’s lawyers and supporters condemned what they called his “abduction”. They have demanded his immediate release.
Investigations are ongoing to identify further suspects. But rights groups say Benin has taken a more autocratic turn under the presidency of Patrice Talon.
He has announced he would not seek a third term in office in the 2026 elections. Since 2020, there have been eight military takeovers and several other coup attempts in West and Central Africa.
