Benin Republic on Saturday placed a former defence minister and prominent opposition politician, Candide Azannai, in pre-trial detention as part of investigations into the failed coup attempt earlier this month.

According to an AFP journalist, Azannai was accused of plotting against the state and incitement to rebellion following his arrest last week at his party’s headquarters in Cotonou.

Azannai’s detention comes in the aftermath of the failed December 7 coup, despite the opposition figure publicly condemning the attempted overthrow.

His remand followed several hours of questioning at Benin’s anti-terrorism court. An AFP reporter said police escorted him away at dawn before taking him into custody.

The detention is the latest development linked to the foiled coup, after about 30 people, mostly soldiers, were jailed on Tuesday on treason charges.

On December 7, soldiers appeared on national television claiming they had toppled President Patrice Talon. However, loyalist forces swiftly crushed the plot with assistance from the Nigerian Air Force.

Several people were reportedly killed during the uprising, while some mutineers, including the alleged coup leader, Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, remain at large.

While Talon has received praise for driving economic growth, critics accuse his administration of creeping authoritarianism in a country once celebrated for democratic stability.

In recent years, Benin has also faced growing jihadist violence in its northern regions.

President Talon is expected to hand over power in April after completing the constitutionally permitted two terms in office.

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A man was nabbed after over an alleged attempt to steal yams at the busy Zaki Biam Yam Market in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident which occurred on Thursday, December 18, 2025 disrupted activities and drew a crowd of traders and buyers.

Eyewitnesses said the suspect was caught in the act and restrained by market traders before the situation escalated.

Preliminary accounts identified him as a vehicle conductor from Plateau State.

Traders urged that the matter be handed over to security agencies for proper investigation and warned against mob action.

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Troops of Sector 2 of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force intercepted two pickup vans conveying assorted items suspected to be logistics supplies for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.

The interception followed credible human intelligence indicating the movement of the items from Dapchi through the Magumeri general area.

According to the security analyst, the troops intercepted the vehicles during the operation and took the drivers into custody for further interrogation.

Items recovered from the two vehicles included 31 spare tyres, 23 spare rims, two bicycles, 12 key starters, three alternators, two bags of flour, one mattress, five bags of charcoal, 34 tubers of yam, two blankets, nylon bags containing garri, adult and children clothing, one power bank, six mobile phones and a cash sum of N92,600.

The vehicles and recovered items were currently in custody, while investigations were ongoing to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement and possible links to ISWAP logistics networks.

The troops, sources said, remained committed to disrupting the movement of supplies to terrorist groups and maintaining pressure on criminal elements across the area of responsibility.

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