- Benin Coup Suspect Flees To Niger As Talon Demands Extradition.
- Talon urges neighbouring countries to extradite fleeing suspects.
- Prime suspect reportedly escaped to Niger Republic.
President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic has called on neighbouring countries to cooperate with his government in arresting and extraditing suspects linked to a recently foiled coup attempt.
The Beninese government has already issued arrest warrants for those allegedly involved in the plot, with the prime suspect identified as Colonel Pascal Tigri.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that speaking during a press briefing in Cotonou, Talon said the suspects fled Benin Republic shortly after the failed coup and crossed into neighbouring countries.
“They have been able to cross the borders. We have issued warrants against them and requested the concerned countries to cooperate and deliver them to us,” the president said.
Talon expressed confidence that regional authorities would respond positively to the request and assist in returning the suspects to face justice.
“I hope they will cooperate and deliver them to us, because they have to answer,” he added.
The president also gave details of how Colonel Tigri allegedly escaped after the plot collapsed.
According to Talon, the suspect hastily left a military camp by car without taking any personal belongings and reportedly abandoned a boy at the location.
He said Tigri later claimed he was no longer at the camp when a strike occurred, a situation that allegedly allowed the suspects to flee across the border.
Talon noted that cooperation on the extradition request would be key to easing diplomatic tensions arising from the alleged attempt to destabilise the country.
He disclosed that Beninese authorities had activated international cooperation mechanisms and formally notified relevant countries, urging swift action to locate and hand over the suspects.
Reports indicated that Tigri fled Benin Republic and crossed into Niger Republic.
As of press time, there was no official response from Nigerien authorities regarding the extradition request.
