Two senior military officials taken hostage during last Sunday's attempted coup in Benin have been freed, a government source has told the BBC.
It remains unclear how they were released or if other hostages are still being held. Security forces are continuing a manhunt for those involved in the plot, who remain at large.
A group of soldiers appeared on state television early in the morning to announce they had taken over in the West African country and gunfire was heard near the presidential residence.
However, President Patrice Talon later announced that the situation was "totally under control" in the West African country. Regional power, Nigeria, assisted in thwarting the mutiny, saying its fighter jets had helped "dislodge the coup plotters from the National TV and a military camp" following a request from Benin's government.
Last Sunday afternoon, huge explosions were heard in Cotonou, Benin's largest city and seat of government. They were thought to have been the result of an air strike.
Prior to the explosions, flight-tracking data showed that three aircraft had entered Benin's airspace from neighbouring Nigeria before returning home. The extent of the damage is not clear.
Earlier last Sunday, Benin government spokesperson, Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji, told the Reuters news agency that 14 people had been arrested in connection with the attempted coup.
A journalist in Benin also told the BBC that of those reportedly arrested, 12 are believed to have stormed the offices of the national TV station — including a soldier who had previously been sacked.
The coup plotters said they were led by Lt Col Pascal Tigri, whose whereabouts are unknown. In last Sunday evening's national address, the 67-year-old President said that loyalist forces had "cleared the last pockets of resistance held by the mutineers".
CREDIT: BBC
