Militants in Burkina Faso police attack ‘neutralised’

Burkina Faso’s defence and security forces say they have neutralised seven members of an extremist group in the Centre-Nord region.

They have been identified as among those who attacked a national police unit on 21 June.

The security forces and police say the operation was conducted last week in the locality of Madou.

The raid was supported by the country’s air force aircraft and led to the identification of a school where the armed group had set up its base.

Weapons, ammunition, equipment, and identification papers belonging to the police officers who were victims of the attack were found at the site.

A police vehicle, a large quantity of fuel, foodstuffs, medicines, and various other materials were also discovered.

Pressure has increased on President Roch Kabore – who took the role of defence minister last week in a cabinet reshuffle – to call for a tougher government response to jihadist attacks attributed to groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

Thousands took to the streets to protest in the capital Ouagadougou on Saturday.

SOURCE: BBC