A security analyst for East and West Africa, Mr. Brant Philip, has claimed that the leader of the failed coup attempt in the Republic of Benin, Lt.-Col. Pascal Tigri, has reportedly fled to Lomé, Togo.

Philip made the claim in a post on 𝕏 (formerly Twitter), adding that intelligence sources confirmed Tigri’s movement across the Benin-Togo border following the botched putsch.

According to reports the Benin’s constitutional authorities on Monday declared Tigri and two other soldiers wanted for their roles in the failed coup, which was aimed at toppling President Patrice Talon’s administration on Sunday.

The country’s military command said the coup plotters failed to seize key state institutions before the operation was suppressed by loyal forces.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, also confirmed the development in a post shared on 𝕏.

According to Philip, a Beninese Air Force surveillance aircraft from Parakou was observed circling over Aneho, a southwestern town in Togo, shortly after the failed coup. He suggested that some of the coup plotters may have crossed into Togo to evade arrest.

Before the incident, Lt.-Col. Tigri was an obscure officer in Benin’s military. Security sources said he previously commanded the 3rd Inter-Arms Group of the National Guard from its creation in 2023 until January 2025.

The officer, described as an “intermediate-level” commander, reportedly had no authority over strategic units capable of staging a major military operation. His sudden emergence as the leader of a coup attempt surprised many Beninese citizens, who questioned how a relatively unknown officer could plan such an action.

Authorities in Cotonou have since labelled him a “traitor to the nation.” Military and intelligence reports indicate that Tigri had no previous record of political ambition or insubordination before the coup attempt.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports on Tuesday suggested that Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé visited Niamey, Niger, late Monday night, where he held discussions with Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani, leader of the Nigerien junta.

The Beninese government has yet to make an official request to Togo for Tigri’s extradition.