Togo/ The Togolese National Police : An unwavering commitment to the security of the population

At the core of the mission of the Togolese National Police lies an unwavering commitment to the security and well-being of the population. A recent example of this steadfast commitment occurred on December 22 and 28, 2023, when the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) successfully orchestrated the apprehension of two individuals suspected of a shocking murder. These events highlight the constant vigilance of the national police and their dedication to maintaining tranquility within the Togolese community.

The suspects, identified as C. Alain Patrick Wossonato, a retired Burkinabe gendarme aged 36, and T. Merveil, a 22-year-old Togolese student, were apprehended through the effective collaboration of the national police.

The case began on November 15, 2023, when Miss F., a 22-year-old young woman, sought the assistance of the police after a brutal assault with a friend. The two young women, approached by two strangers in a Burkinabe-registered car, were taken to a distant alley where they were violently attacked. The victim, refusing to surrender her mobile phone, was stabbed and succumbed to her injuries shortly after at the hospital.

Responding swiftly to Miss F.’s call, the police arrived at the crime scene, discovering the victim in agony and the assailants’ abandoned car. The investigation, based on Miss F.’s testimony and evidence collected at the scene, led to the formal identification of C. Alain Patrick Wossonato.

On December 22, 2023, with the cooperation of the Republic of Benin’s police, Wossonato was apprehended in a hotel in Cotonou. During his interrogation, he confessed to the crime and implicated Merveil as a co-perpetrator. Merveil was arrested on the night of December 28-29, 2023, in a ghetto.

Interrogated about the motive behind the crime, both accused confessed that their intention was to steal phones and other valuable items to finance their drug consumption. They will be presented before the Public Prosecutor near the Court of First Instance in Lomé to answer for their actions.

The National Police takes this opportunity to remind young girls of the need to be cautious and not follow strangers for promises of money. They also express gratitude to the population for their valuable collaboration, emphasizing the effectiveness of the witness appeal launched on the National Police’s Facebook page on December 3, 2023. These recent events demonstrate the commitment of the Togolese police to ensure the tranquility of the population and uphold justice.

Justine Akolatsey