Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – A little-known Beninese officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, has suddenly become the most wanted man in the country after emerging as the purported leader of a failed coup attempt against President Patrice Talon on Sunday, 7 December 2025.
Tigri appeared briefly on national television early that morning, introducing himself as president of the so-called Comité Militaire de la Refondation (Military Committee for Refoundation), the group that claimed responsibility for the attempted takeover.
Flanked by armed soldiers and dressed in full uniform, he announced the suspension of the Constitution and declared that the army had taken control of state institutions, an appearance that lasted only minutes before the broadcast was cut and loyal forces regained control.
A Little-Known Officer Suddenly Thrust Into the Spotlight
Until Sunday’s events, Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri was far from a household name. He led the 3rd Inter-Arms Group of the National Guard from its creation in 2023 until January 2025, but security sources describe him as an “intermediate-level officer,” with no command over strategic units capable of mounting a large-scale operation.
His abrupt emergence as the face of the coup attempt has left many Beninese citizens questioning how such an obscure figure could spearhead an assault on state institutions. The government now openly labels him a “traitor to the nation.”
Coup Foiled Within Minutes
According to Interior and National Security Minister Alassane Seïdou, the coup attempt was swiftly suppressed by loyalist forces who remained “republican” and acted “with professionalism and discipline.” The national broadcaster ORTB, which had been seized by the mutineers at dawn, resumed normal programming before midday.
“Thanks to the reaction of the armed forces, control of the situation was restored and the manoeuvre failed,” the minister said, urging citizens to continue their daily activities.
Arrests Mount as Tigri Remains on the Run
By early afternoon, at least 13 people had been arrested, including 12 members of the commando that stormed the premises of the national broadcaster SRTB. Among the detainees is a former soldier previously dismissed from the army.
However, Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri himself remains at large, reportedly fleeing with several loyal followers. Security operations are under way nationwide to track him and dismantle remaining elements of the group.
Public Anger and Calls for Harsh Punishment at a Turning Point for Benin
Across Benin, reactions have been overwhelmingly negative. Many citizens describe the incident as “high treason” and have demanded severe punishment for all involved. The failed coup has heightened public anxiety but also galvanized support for constitutional order.
Though the attempted putsch lasted only minutes, its impact may be long-lasting. Pascal Tigri, previously virtually unknown, now stands at the center of what could become a pivotal moment in Benin’s modern political history.
With arrests ongoing and the mastermind still on the run, authorities insist the situation is under control. But questions remain about how such an operation was conceived, who supported it, and whether deeper fractures exist within the security establishment.
As Benin awaits answers, the hunt for Pascal Tigri continues.
