The army officer who led the coup in the Republic of Benin, Pascal Tigri, fled to Togo on Sunday to seek refuge.

According to reports, the Beninese Government is aware of Mr Tigri’s current location and plans to submit a request for Mr Tigri’s extradition.

“We don’t know how to explain this, but we will make an official extradition request and see how the Togolese authorities will react.”

One of the Beninese officials said Tigri and others allegedly involved in the coup attempt were hiding out in a neighbourhood of the Togolese capital Lome known as Lome 2 that also houses the residence of the country’s longtime leader Faure Gnassingbe.

“If the Togolese government does not extradite them to Benin, that will be the proof that Togo was involved in the coup attempt,” the official said.

A memo from Benin’s national intelligence service to its Togolese counterpart, dated Wednesday released to reporters, said four members of Benin’s military had sought refuge in Togo and that on the day of the coup, Tigri had been contacted by someone using a Togolese phone number.

“Our department would like to request your support in apprehending and then handing over these fugitive soldiers to the Beninese authorities by your competent services,” the memo states.

The coup plotters attempted to seize Talon at his residence, and came close enough for Talon to witness violent clashes first-hand, a Benin government statement said on Monday. They also kidnapped two senior military officials who were released on Monday morning, the statement said.