Issued on: 30/05/2020 – 16:28Modified: 30/05/2020 – 16:28
At least 15 people were killed in northern Burkina Faso in an attack on a convoy transporting traders in a town in northern Burkina Faso on Friday, the government said on Saturday.
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"The provisional toll mentions 15 dead, wounded and people missing as well as significant material damage," said Burkina Faso's Communications Minister Remis Fulgance Dandjinou.
The attack in Loroum province, Dandjinou added, was carried out by "armed terrorists", shorthand for jihadists.
"Military reinforcements were deployed and searches are under way," he said.
Dangerous road
The victims were mainly traders who came from Titao, around 160 kilometres (100 miles) north of the capital, Ouagadougou, when their vehicles were intercepted by "armed individuals", a Titao resident said.
He added the attack occurred around 5pm local time Friday.
"The lorries were escorted by 'koglweogo' (local self-defence members) who were among the casualties," the resident said on condition of anonymity.
He said "at least four women" were among the dead and that two lorries were burned.
In January, nine shopkeepers were killed and a vehicle torched along the same road.
Increasing violence, poorly trained militaries
Burkina Faso's armed forces are leading counter-terror operations with increasing frequency.
The impoverished Read More – Source
