Benin’s Coup Plot Face Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri Declared Wanted as Manhunt Intensifies

Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, the figurehead of Sunday’s failed coup attempt in Benin, has officially been declared wanted by the Government as Security forces launch an extensive Nationwide manhunt. The dramatic attempt to seize power, though short-lived, has sent shockwaves across the West African Nation and the region.

In the early hours of Sunday, a Group of Soldiers identified as the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR) claimed on National Television that they had removed President Patrice Talon from office, dissolved State Institutions, suspended the constitution, and closed the Country’s borders. Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri appeared prominently in the broadcast as the leader of the group.

However, loyalist forces swiftly regained control, retaking State Television, securing key Military installations, and quashing the attempted takeover within hours. Authorities confirmed the arrest of at least 14 individuals linked to the coup plot, but Tigri remains at large.

Tigri, previously a relatively low-profile officer, commanded the 3rd Inter-Arms Group of the National Guard. His sudden emergence as the face of a coup has stunned citizens and political analysts alike, raising questions about internal fractures within the Military.

The failed coup has drawn international attention. ECOWAS has mobilized standby forces to support Benin’s Government, while neighboring Nigeria reportedly deployed air and ground assets to assist in restoring order. With a Presidential election scheduled for April 2026, the incident has heightened political tensions and raised concerns over National Security.

Authorities have vowed to prosecute all those involved in the plot, but the hunt for Tigri continues, underscoring lingering instability despite the swift response by Government forces.