Authorities in Benin Republic have arrested Chabi Yayi, son of former president and opposition leader Thomas Boni Yayi, in the wake of last week’s failed coup attempt in the country.
According to family sources, Chabi Yayi was taken into custody at his residence in the early hours of Sunday.
As of the time of reporting, security agencies had not disclosed the reason for his arrest, leaving uncertainty over whether it is directly connected to the aborted coup of December 7.
“At the moment, we do not know what accusations have been brought against him,” a relative told AFP, while a close associate within the Democrats party, led by Boni Yayi, said it was unclear if the arrest was linked to the coup attempt.
Former president Boni Yayi had earlier condemned the attempted seizure of power in a video message released two days after the incident.
Since the failed putsch, Beninese authorities have carried out a series of arrests targeting alleged collaborators.
Among those detained is former defence minister and prominent opposition figure, Candide Azannai, who has been placed in police custody on allegations of conspiracy against the state and incitement to rebellion.
The government has also issued an international arrest warrant for pan-Africanist activist and social media influencer Kemi Seba, accusing him of encouraging rebellion through his vocal support for the coup, which he described as a “day of liberation” for Benin.
In a video message released on Sunday, Seba said he had taken precautionary measures following the issuance of the warrant, though he did not disclose his current location.
“You can never stop us. We will go to the end of our struggle,” he declared.
Kemi Seba, whose real name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, leads the NGO Pan-Africanist Emergency and is known for his strong anti-Western views, particularly against France and pro-Paris African governments.
Born Franco-Beninese, he lost his French citizenship in 2024 and currently travels on a passport issued by Niger’s military-led government.
Meanwhile, security sources say several individuals involved in the failed coup, including its alleged leader, Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, are still on the run as investigations continue.
