Gaoua:Fourteen individuals have been taken into custody by the Djr National Police, suspected of being part of a criminal network responsible for a series of armed robberies across Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. This announcement was made by Divisional Police Commissioner Pakindsama Oudraogo during a press briefing on October 9, 2026.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the arrests occurred between September 10 and October 6, 2026, in locations such as Gaoua, Kampti, Bogand, Ouagadougou, and Lokosso. The operation followed an investigation led by the Regional Judicial Police Service's Research and Intervention Brigade. The investigation began in September 2026 after receiving information about a potential attack on a trader in Gaoua.
The criminal network is alleged to have targeted businesses, gas stations, money transfer shops, gold buyers, and gold smelters. Their operations spanned various localities in Burkina Faso, including Diarakadougou, Pouytenga, and Ouagadougou, extending to Doropo and Bouak in Ivory Coast.
Searches conducted during the operation led to the seizure of firearms, ammunition, machetes, swords, knives, eight mopeds, a Mazda CX-5, household appliances, electronic equipment, military uniforms, and numerous documents. Additionally, a grocery store and a spare parts shop in Ouagadougou were confiscated.
Initial findings suggest that the suspects chose their targets based on the potential for high financial gain. The stolen goods were divided among the members according to their involvement, with some proceeds allegedly used to rent weapons. The network's activities have been linked to multiple homicides, including the murder of a trader in Dibougou in October 2025 and another victim in Donsra in July 2026.
The National Police are continuing their investigation to identify other perpetrators and accomplices. Those arrested will be presented to the prosecutor of Faso at the High Court of Gaoua. The public has been urged to report any suspicious activity and exercise caution during financial transactions. Emergency contacts include 17 for the National Police, 16 for the National Gendarmerie, and 10-10 for the National Emergency and Alert Center.
The National Police emphasized that the suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.