Benin president says situation 'under control' after coup attempt

Benin's president said the "situation is completely under control" in his country after the government thwarted an attempted coup thanks to loyalist soldiers with support from Nigerian forces.

A group of soldiers announced Sunday on state television that they had ousted President Patrice Talon.

That sparked a swift response from loyal army forces, joined by air strikes and troop deployments from neighbouring Nigeria.

Beninese military and security sources said around a dozen soldiers had been arrested, including those behind the coup bid.

West Africa has experienced a number of coups in recent years, including in Benin's northern neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as Mali, Guinea and, most recently, Guinea-Bissa

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