Niger police inspector alleges plot to exfiltrate Beninese officer Pascal Tigri

A Nigerien police inspector, Habibou Oumarou Mamane, has provided testimony via Niger's public broadcaster, RTN, alleging a plot to locate and exfiltrate Beninese Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri. Tigri was previously involved in an attempted coup against Beninese President Patrice Talon in December 2025.

According to Mamane, an individual named Ange Karaou approached him in February 2026 to organize the operation. The inspector claims that Karaou alleged the mission was directed by the operations director of Benin's DGDC. The testimony includes allegations of significant incentives offered for the mission's success, including 50 million CFA francs, diplomatic passports, and official government appointments.

Mamane stated he received 2 million CFA francs in Niamey to fund searches, claiming that 5 million CFA francs had originally been provided to Karaou for the operation. The testimony follows recent events in Niamey in August that the Nigerien government characterized as destabilization attempts. Nigerien authorities previously announced they were preparing a case for potential international legal action.