Manager Paolo Di Canio led the celebrations as goals from Stephane Sessegnon, Adam Johnson and David Vaughan propelled Sunderland three points clear of the drop zone.
Chinedu Obasi and Yakubu fluffed decent scoring chances in the box before Sessegnon threatened to open the scoring for the Squirrels with a delightful effort in the 38th minute.
Benin suffered a blow on 25 minutes when playmaker Sessegnon attracted his second yellow card of the tournament for challenging the referee, ruling him out of their crucial last group game with Egypt on Wednesday.