Manga:During the "Hard Head Shield" operation, conducted from October 1 to 4, 2026, the Nazinon Regional Directorate of the National Police checked 455 vehicles and issued fines to 408 users, resulting in 47 vehicles being impounded. A total of 1.224 million FCFA in fines was collected during the operation across the three provinces in the region.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the operation's results were presented by Chief Commissioner Saïdou Ouoba, the regional director of the National Police of Nazinon, during a media meeting in Manga on October 5, 2026. The province of Nahouri led with 186 vehicles checked, 162 ticketed, and 24 impounded. Bazga followed with 149 vehicles checked, 141 ticketed, and eight impounded, while Zoundwogo had 120 vehicles checked, 105 ticketed, and 15 impounded.
Chief of Police Ouoba noted that initially, only 17% of those checked were wearing helmets. However, due to awareness campaigns and enforcement actions, the helmet-wearing rate increased to between 80 and 90%. The operation was launched after the mandatory helmet-wearing law took effect on October 1, 2026, aiming to reduce traffic accident consequences and encourage helmet use among two-wheeled vehicle users.
The operation was deemed necessary due to the high number of traffic accidents in Burkina Faso. The National Road Safety Observatory reported 19,973 accidents in 2025, resulting in 1,002 deaths and 15,169 serious injuries. In the first quarter of 2026, 11,143 accidents were recorded, leading to 649 deaths and 8,997 injuries. The Nazinon region alone saw 333 accidents in 2025, with 50 deaths and 292 serious injuries, while the first quarter of 2026 recorded 196 accidents, 29 deaths, and 143 injuries.
A total of 186 police officers were mobilized for the operation, which included awareness sessions for drivers, transport unions, and helmet vendors. Chief Commissioner Ouoba emphasized that the goal was not punitive but to save lives, urging all road users to share responsibility for safety.
The Nazinon region's strategic location, with national roads No. 5 and No. 17 connecting to Ghana and Togo, sees significant traffic, highlighting the need for strengthened road safety measures and awareness.