Benin Republic Coup plotters attempted to blow up Nigeria fighter jet

Details emerged on Monday of how coup plotters in Benin Republic attempted to blow up Nigerian Air Force fighter jet which flew on their airspace, but the pilot however, maneuvered and evaded the gunfire in Cotonou.

The video of evasion of the fighter jet was uploaded by a security expert Zagazola Makama on its social media platform.

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It was also confirmed that President Bola Tinubu ordered the fighter jet to get involved in attempted coup in the neighbouring Benin Republic where it was confirmed that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) carried out aerial strike against fleeing coup plotters.

As loyal soldiers were resisting the coup at the residence of President Patrice Talon and around the presidential palace amid gunfire, those fleeing after the coup failed, came under the NAF fighter jet fire.

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They were said to be escaping Cotonou in armoured vehicles when the fighter jet interdicted them.

The airstrikes, executed over the past 30 minutes, involved multiple coordinated strikes carried out by Nigerian fighter jets operating within Beninese airspace.

“The operation was meticulously planned and executed. Our objectives were clear: neutralize fleeing hostile elements, prevent regrouping, and restore stability in coordination with regional partners,” sources stated.

Reports said the operation has approval of Beninese authority and was conducted professionally and in line with strict adherence to international protocols.

There was no collateral damage resulted to the NAF air strike.

Eyewitnesses reported multiple explosions in strategic locations across Cotonou, confirming the effectiveness of the strikes.

The sources said that the strikes successfully immobilized the armoured vehicles and disrupted escape routes used by the coup plotters and killing several of them.

The intervention comes in the wake of a failed coup led by Lt. Pascal Tigri, who had briefly attempted to dissolve state institutions and seize full military control of Benin Republic.

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