Burkina Faso : Moroccan drivers kidnapped by gunmen released

The harrowing experience of four Moroccan drivers who vanished on Saturday, January 18, 2025, between Dore in northeastern Burkina Faso and Terra in western Niger has concluded, as reported by Mustapha Chaoun, Secretary General of the Democratic Organization for Intermodal Transport and Logistics (ODMTL).

«The four professional drivers who have been missing since last Saturday are now being released by the terrorist groups», Chaoun announced on his Facebook page, though he refrained from divulging additional information.

The Moroccan Embassy had previously noted that the drivers ventured onto a perilous route infamous for harboring terrorist cells and armed groups engaged in looting and banditry, specifically targeting transportation, particularly trucks. The embassy highlighted that traversing the Dori-Terra axis without security escorts is considered a risky endeavor.

Furthermore, the embassy emphasized that international transport drivers typically consult with local security authorities to assess the area's security conditions before commencing their journeys. This caution is particularly pertinent for routes passing through Sitenga, a city recently marred by violence. On January 11, Sitenga witnessed a brutal attack where 18 soldiers and several civilians lost their lives in an ambush by criminal groups.