A coup attempt by a section of the military in Benin Republic has been tatted by troops loyal to the President.

The Military had earlier on Sunday announced that they have overthrown President Patrice Talon, bylut his entourage said he was safe and the army was regaining control.

Soldiers calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), said on state television that they had met and decided that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic”.

The announcement follows two coups in Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in as many months. Benin is bordered in the north by Niger and Burkina Faso, which have also seen military takeovers.

The French Embassy said on X that “gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo” near the president’s official residence in the economic capital.

It urged French citizens to remain indoors for security.

Latest reports indicate that troop loyal to the President have put the situation under control while citizens are on the streets in solidary with their elected leader

The Military in Benin Republic on Sunday announced that they have overthrown President Patrice Talon, although his entourage said he was safe and the army was regaining control.

Soldiers calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), said on state television that they had met and decided that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic”.

The announcement follows two coups in Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in as many months. Benin is bordered in the north by Niger and Burkina Faso, which have also seen military takeovers.

The French Embassy said on X that “gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo” near the president’s official residence in the economic capital.

It urged French citizens to remain indoors for security.

But the president’s entourage said Talon, who has been president of the west African nation for 10 years and is due to step down in April, was safe.

“This is a small group of people who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure,” his office told AFP.

Africa’s richest person and founder of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has criticised wealthy Nigerians who prioritise Rolls-Royce vehicles and private jets instead of investing in industries for job creation.

Speaking with journalists on Friday, the industrialist said Nigeria cannot develop by depending on imports, arguing that importation “is importing poverty and exporting jobs”.

He questioned whether Nigeria can progress without building its own industries, saying the country must prioritise agriculture, industrialisation, and a strong banking system to support growth.

“If you have money for Rolls-Royce, you should go and put up an industry in your locality, or anywhere in part of Nigeria, wherever that you feel there is a need,” Dangote said.

“Everybody has a private jet. Those private jets should be in industries, so that we can create jobs.”

The billionaire said Nigeria must prepare for its rapidly growing population, noting that 8.7 million babies are born each year — a demand that will require massive investments in power, infrastructure, healthcare and schools.

The billionaire said companies must also fulfil their civic responsibility by paying taxes, describing the government as “the number one shareholder” in every business through the tax system.

“What we are looking for is that [the] government should give us an enabling environment to do this. We too, as corporate citizens, we must make sure that we pay our taxes. We must behave. So it is a partnership,” he said.

“If I pay tax, your children will be able to go to school. Your children will be able to go to [the] hospital. We don’t need to go to Cairo, London, or the US for medicals. We do it here.”

The group president also urged Nigeria to focus less on wooing foreign investors and more on strengthening policies that encourage domestic investment.