OUAGADOUGOU — Two young individuals, each around twenty years old, have been arrested in Ouagadougou and Ziniaré for a string of assaults and armed robberies targeting money transfer locations.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the arrests were made by agents from the Police Station of District No. 05 in Ouagadougou. The suspects had been systematically targeting Orange Money shops and money transfer kiosks. Police detailed that the duo would select a shop, and one would enter pretending to be a customer wishing to withdraw a significant sum. Once the shop manager confirmed the availability of the money, the suspect would leave under false pretenses, only to return later to rob the manager at gunpoint as they closed up for the day.

The pattern of crime included more than ten incidents from January to June 2024, with several million CFA francs stolen. In addition to armed robbery, the pair also committed snatchings at the North and West interchanges in Ouagadougou, primarily targeting women. The national police, aided by community tips, captured the suspects and seized an array of evidence, including an automatic pistol, magazines, ammunition, motorcycles, mobile phones, and various clothing items.

The national police have commended the public’s cooperation in these arrests and continue to encourage vigilance and the reporting of suspicious activities through the available toll-free numbers: 17, 16, and 1010.