Talon made the remarks in an address on Sunday, after a group of soldiers earlier declared they had toppled his administration.

In a speech broadcast live on national television, he stated: “I want to thank our armed forces and their commanders, who have continued to remain loyal to the country.”

The address came after loud explosions were heard in the capital Cotonou, near the main government headquarters, with reports suggesting an air raid was taking place.

There were claims that fighter jets had entered Benin from neighbouring Nigeria, and the Nigerian presidential spokesperson later confirmed that Nigerian warplanes had been deployed “to help dislodge those attempting to seize power at the national television and at the military complex where they had regrouped.”

President Talon, 67, said pro-government forces had “cleared these violent insurgents out of the way.”

He added: “This sacrifice and mobilisation enabled us to defeat these opportunists who wanted to bring disaster upon our nation. This plot will not go unpunished.”

He went on to reassure the public, saying: “I want to reassure you and inform you that things are now on the right path, and therefore I urge you to resume your work peacefully from this evening.”

It remains unclear whether there were casualties during the attempt to restore control, but the President expressed sorrow “for those who died in this incomprehensible incident, and for those still in the hands of fleeing rebels.”

Earlier, Government spokesperson Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji told the British news agency Reuters that 14 people had been arrested on suspicion of attempting to overthrow the government.