Sissili: The National Gendarmerie has officially taken over security responsibilities from the National Police in Boura, a strategic border area with Ghana. The transition, which took place on Tuesday, marks a significant change in the region's security management, with the police having been in place since 1988.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the handover ceremony was led by Judith Diasso/Kanyala, president of the Boura Special Delegation, at the town hall. The event commenced with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by the symbolic transfer of the national flag to the gendarmerie, officiated by Chief Commissioner Noufou Belem and Captain Kader Nama. This move is seen as a strategic reorganization of the territorial network. Diasso/Kanyala highlighted the critical security situation between 2022 and 2024, which led to school closures. However, the dedication of the police and Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) ensured that these institutions reopened in 2024.
Judith Diasso/Kanyala emphasized the importance of building trust between the Gendarmerie and the local population, stating that security is a shared responsibility. She called on the Gendarmerie to focus on securing clandestine routes to Ghana to stabilize the area effectively.
Police Commissioner Noufou Sore praised the efforts of the VDP and provided a positive assessment of the police mission, underlining the successful resettlement of displaced residents. He identified three priority areas for the incoming gendarmerie: tackling cross-border crime, monitoring the demarcation with Ghana, and maintaining cooperation with Ghanaian authorities.
Captain Kader Nama, representing the Gendarmerie, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and called for collaboration with the armed forces to ensure the mission's success. The local population, represented by Josephine Zogdia/Zopoula, welcomed the gendarmes, expressing hopes for an effective fight against fraud and continued support for the community.
His Majesty, the canton chief of Boura, underscored the event's significance as an act of state continuity, encouraging unity and cooperation for the community's welfare.