Crime

Benin Jails Ex-defence Minister Over Failed Coup Plot

Published

4 hours ago

December 20, 2025

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.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 19

Crime

PHOTOS: Suspected yam thief nabbed in Benue market

Published

12 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

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.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 24

Crime

PHOTOS: Troops intercept vehicles conveying suspected ISWAP logistics in Yobe

Published

22 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

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.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 33

Crime

PHOTOS: Troops arrest gunrunner, recover arms and ammunition in Plateau

Published

23 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Troops of 3 Division of the Nigerian Army under Operation Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (OP Enduring Peace), have arrested a suspected gunrunner and recovered arms and ammunition in Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

The operations, conducted on Thursday, December 18, 2025 were part of ongoing efforts to mop up illicit arms and ensure a peaceful yuletide season within the Joint Operations Area.

In the early hours of the day, troops, in conjunction with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), raided a suspected criminal hideout at Gwender Village in Bokkos Local Government Area, following intelligence reports.

Although the suspects reportedly fled before the arrival of the troops, a search of the hideout led to the recovery of one fabricated AK-47 rifle with a magazine, one fabricated pistol and several rounds of ammunition of different calibres.

In a related operation, troops working with a DSS Tactical Team mounted a snap checkpoint at Mairana in Mangu Local Government Area, based on credible intelligence.

During the operation, a Fulani youth was intercepted and arrested while in possession of two boxes of ammunition containing 1,400 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

The suspect and the recovered items are currently in custody for further investigation, while troops have intensified follow-up operations to apprehend other members of the suspected criminal syndicate.

The military reiterated its commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements to ensure peace and security across Plateau State and the wider Joint Operations Area.