More is known about the deadly attack in Djibo that killed at least 35 civilians and injured several others on Monday, September 5. According to Burkina Faso’s Minister of Defense, General Aimé Barthélémy Simporé, the jihadists used a remotely operated explosive device and specifically targeted the 91st vehicle in the supply convoy, which contained only civilians. The Minister of Defense also announced the organization in the coming days of a national day of refusal of terrorism.
On Monday, September 5, the convoy, composed of several vehicles, left Djibo at 8:00 am local time. The convoy was escorted by the 14th Inter-Army Regiment of Djibo, which regularly organizes this type of trip for the supply and travel needs of the population.
Two explosive devices, one improvised and the other controlled, placed on the Djibo-Bourzanga road
From the words of Burkina Faso’s Minister of Defense, General Aimé Barthélémy Simporé, it appears that a first explosive device was identified and destroyed around noon. Two hours later, a vehicle in the convoy was targeted by an explosive device attack in the village of Mentao.
“The machine was operated by remote control,” said General Aimé Barthélémy Simporé. It also states that the perpetrators of the attack were ambushed not far from the road used by the convoy.
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A bus, 91st vehicle of the convoy targeted
As for the vehicle of the victims of the attack, General Aimé Barthélémy Simporé explained that it was a bus carrying women and children. ” It was the 91st vehicle in the convoy. They let some vehicles pass and they only targeted this vehicle“, stressed the authority.
This act reveals “the perfidious and cynical nature of armed terrorist groups,” said General Aimé Barthélémy Simporé. He therefore calls on human rights organizations to condemn this attack.
