Authorities in Benin Republic have detained Chabi Yayi, the son of former president and opposition leader Thomas Boni Yayi, as part of an expanding security operation in the aftermath of a failed coup attempt.
Chabi Yayi was arrested at his home in the early hours of Sunday, according to relatives and individuals close to the family. Officials have so far not provided details on the allegations leading to his detention.
“We do not yet know what he is accused of,” a relative told AFP. “It is also unclear whether this arrest is connected to the events of last Sunday,” a close friend and member of the opposition Democrats party added.
The arrest follows last week’s announcement by authorities that they had thwarted a coup attempt on December 7, triggering a wave of arrests tied to what the government describes as efforts to undermine state security.
Former president Boni Yayi, who currently heads the Democrats party, publicly denounced the alleged coup plot in a video statement issued two days after the incident.
Those already in custody include former defence minister and opposition figure Candide Azannai, who authorities say is being held over accusations of “conspiracy against the authority of the state and incitement to rebellion.”
In addition, Beninese officials have issued an international arrest warrant for pan-African activist and social media influencer Kemi Seba, accusing him of encouraging rebellion through his public backing of the coup attempt. Seba addressed the warrant in a video message released on Sunday.
“You can never stop us. We will go to the end of our fight,” he said, adding that he had taken precautionary measures since the warrant was issued, though he did not disclose his whereabouts.
Seba, born Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, is widely known for his criticism of France and African governments aligned with Paris. He lost his French citizenship in 2024 and now travels using a passport issued by Niger’s military-led government.
Security officials say investigations are ongoing and that several individuals suspected of involvement in the coup plot, including the alleged mastermind, Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, are still on the run.
