Burkina Faso: Fight Against Insecurity – Suspects arrested and weapons seized during security operations in Ouagadougou

In Burkina Faso, all public forces are mobilized to combat insecurity and acts of terrorism. According to security sources reported by the Burkina Information Agency (AIB), a security operation, conducted under the authority of the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Decentralization, and Security (MATDS), was carried out between March and April 2024 in the capital and led to the arrest of over a hundred suspects and the seizure of ammunition.

Out of 744.427 people checked, 148 were arrested, including 10 for terrorism-related activities, and 58 weapons were seized. This is the result of an operation conducted by the Operational Coordination for the Security of the City of Ouagadougou during the period of March to April 2024, according to AIB.

The operation also involved searching 115.091 vehicles, of which 70 were seized. Among these vehicles, 18 tricycles were impounded out of a total of 1.610 inspected. According to the same source, tangible results obtained during these operations are made possible thanks to the strong contribution of the population.

The unit deployed for the mission also succeeded in dismantling a network of six alleged robbers in Tampouy, a network of delinquents specialized in burglarizing commercial establishments and homes in the Saaba district, and armed robbers in the Nonsin district.

Other achievements during these operations include the seizure of 26 balls of Indian hemp, 1.750 barrels of cyanide, smelting equipment for ore, 30 bags of fine charcoal, and 5 tons of rebar. The security forces achieved these successes after securing 24 zones, searching 136 houses, and checking 744.427 people.

During the same period, from March 1 to April 30, 2024, the National Fire Brigade conducted 1.392 interventions, including 1.128 victim rescues and 29 instances of assistance to individuals.

The Ministry of Security reiterates its thanks to the population for their sincere cooperation. It concludes its statement by urging them to continue reporting suspicious cases to the following toll-free numbers: 16, 17, 1010, 18, and 199.

Sadia Nyaoré