Nigeria, Dec. 7 -- The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the attempted military takeover in the Republic of Benin, calling the development a "subversion" of constitutional order.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the commission said it received reports of the attempted putsch "with consternation."

The regional bloc declared that any effort to upend the country's constitutional system amounts to a direct subversion of the will of Beninese citizens.

"The ECOWAS Commission has received with consternation reports of an attempted military takeover in the Republic of Benin.

"ECOWAS calls for the full respect of the Constitution of Benin and salutes the efforts of the Government and the Republican Army in bringi...