On Monday, an explosion at an officer training school in Toffo, southern Benin, injured ten soldiers during what the army described as a “pyrotechnic accident.” The incident occurred while transferring obsolete military equipment, prompting immediate action from local authorities.

The injured soldiers were promptly hospitalized, and a technical team from the post-conflict demining and de-pollution training center was dispatched to the site to ensure safety. Residents of Toffo reported being alarmed by the explosion, which produced thick black smoke and sounded like gunfire. Local resident Aimé Dossougouin recounted the panic that ensued, saying, “Our only reflex was to flee as far as possible. Many thought it was a bomb.”

In a statement, the Chief of General Staff of the Beninese Armed Forces reassured the local population that the situation was under control. The army also cautioned residents against handling any debris from the explosion and advised them to report any findings of explosive fragments to military personnel.

Benin, along with neighboring countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo, is grappling with the increasing threat of jihadist groups, particularly those affiliated with Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda, which have been launching attacks across the region from Niger and Burkina Faso. The Beninese military has reported approximately 20 incursions since 2021. In response to this growing security challenge, the government plans to recruit an additional 5,000 personnel to bolster its security forces, particularly for safeguarding the northern borders