Benin Republic says leader of foiled coup hiding in Togo

Pascal Tigri, the alleged leader of the botched coup in Benin Republic, and his accomplices are said to be hiding in Togo.

Beninese soldiers identified Tigri as leader of the mutiny after they thwarted the coup attempt with support from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire.

While Nigeria carried out targeted air strikes on many of the fleeing plotters, Tigri’s whereabouts have been unknown.

On Wednesday, Benin government officials told Reuters that the ringleader is hiding in Lome 2, a neighbourhood in the Togolese capital that also houses the residence of President Faure Gnassingbe.

They demanded his immediate extradition.

President Patrice Talon vowed retribution for persons behind the coup attempt, saying “this treachery will not go unpunished”.

A memo from Benin’s national intelligence service to its Togolese counterpart, dated Wednesday and seen by Reuters, said on the day of the coup, Tigri had been contacted by someone using a Togolese phone number.

“Our department would like to request your support in apprehending and then handing over these fugitive soldiers to the Beninese authorities by your competent services,” the memo states.

A government official said if the Togolese government fails to extradite them to Benin, it would be “proof” that Togo was involved in the coup attempt.