Author: Opalim Lifted

Around a dozen soldiers have been arrested in Benin following Sunday’s attempted coup, including the alleged ringleaders, military and security sources told AFP. One source said 13 arrests had been made, with all detainees in active service except one former soldier. The attempted coup began early Sunday when a group of soldiers calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR) announced on state television that President Patrice Talon had been removed from office. The group cited deteriorating security in northern Benin, neglect of families of fallen soldiers, and alleged unfair promotions. Shortly after the announcement, sources close to Talon assured…

Georginio Rutter’s stoppage-time equaliser for Brighton cancelled out Jarrod Bowen’s superb finish as West Ham missed the chance to escape the Premier League relegation zone. With 91 minutes on the clock, West Ham were unable to hold out for a win that would have lifted them out of the bottom three, as Rutter finished from close range. The video assistant referee (VAR) checked whether Rutter handled the ball before finishing – but the goal was allowed to stand. The Premier League Match Centre said: “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that…

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said an attempted military takeover in the Republic of Benin on Sunday failed. Onanuga, in a post on X, stated that the mutineers, dressed in military uniform, briefly seized the national television station after failing to access President Patrice Talon’s residence. He added that security forces, led by the National Guard, regained control and surrounded the station, while discussions with the mutineers, who were holed up inside, were ongoing. Onanuga said, “Coup In Benin Fails. Mutineers in military uniform, who attempted to overthrow President Patrice Talon’s democratic…

The Nigerian military has deployed fighter aircraft to the Benin Republic following reports of a military coup that allegedly toppled President Patrice Talon on Sunday, security sources have confirmed. According to the sources, the aircraft took off from Lagos and were sighted operating within Benin Republic’s airspace as Nigeria intensified aerial surveillance to monitor the rapidly developing political and security situation in the neighbouring country. A senior security official said the deployment was a precautionary move aimed at assessing potential regional security threats and safeguarding Nigeria’s national interests. “The aircraft have already arrived in Benin Republic. Nigeria is closely monitoring…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, to immediately account for the allegedly missing or diverted N55.9 billion earmarked for smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other materials for the 2019 general elections. SERAP said the alarming claims are contained in the latest annual report of the Auditor-General, published on 9 September 2025. In a letter dated 6 December 2025 and signed by deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the INEC chairman to publish the names of all contractors who reportedly received the…

The Benin Republic presidency says President Patrice Talon is safe and the “regular” army is regaining control, after a group of soldiers announced a coup early Sunday. Gunshots were heard near Talon’s residence as armoured vehicles deployed in the presidential palace patrolled the precinct. The group, which labelled itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, said the president and all political officeholders have been effectively removed, and that all institutions have been dissolved. Talon has been on the saddle since 2016 and had promised to leave office in April 2026 after the presidential poll. In September 2024, Djimon Tevoedjre, commander of…

Military officers in Benin Republic have taken control of the federal government. A group of soldiers announced the dissolution of the government during a broadcast on Benin’s state TV on Sunday. The group, which labels itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, said the president and all political officeholders have been effectively removed. All state institutions were also dissolved. Patrice Talon, Benin Republic president, has been on the saddle since 2016 and had promised to leave office in April 2026 after the presidential poll. Benin Republic approves seven-year presidential term ahead of 2026 elections In September 2024, Djimon Tevoedjre, commander of…

Abubakar Abdullahi has not seen his wife and five children in almost three months because he is too afraid to visit his hometown for fear of being kidnapped by criminal gangs roaming Nigeria. He has remained in Minna, the capital of Niger State, where he works as a civil servant. He now relies solely on phone calls to communicate with his family, who live in Kontagora, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) away. Kontagora lies halfway to Papiri, where more than 300 schoolchildren were abducted from their dormitories two weeks ago in one of Nigeria’s worst mass kidnappings. “I’m too scared…

Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate during the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has pledged to cover the National Examinations Council (NECO) fees for 148 inmates across correctional centres in Anambra State. Obi disclosed the intervention on Sunday after receiving a delegation representing inmates from correctional facilities in Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi and Aguata. According to him, the inmates were at risk of being barred from continuing the examinations unless outstanding registration fees were paid within a stipulated timeframe. He said the representatives informed him that NECO had approved the participation of the inmates in the examinations, provided…

Leeds United rocked Liverpool with a stoppage-time equaliser from Ao Tanaka to cap a thrilling six-goal second half at Elland Road. The hosts had earlier come from two goals down to level, before Dominik Szoboszlai looked to have given Liverpool a valuable three points. But Tanaka came off the bench and scored in the sixth added minute to send Elland Road into bedlam. Following a woeful run of nine defeats in 12 games, Arne Slot’s side are now unbeaten in three, but they threw away victory on a day where Slot once again started with Mohamed Salah on the bench.…