Senegal arrests 900 in counter terrorism operation

Senegal has said that it had arrested about 900 people over a three day period in a counter-terrorism operation by the police.

The arrests took place in the cities of Dakar and Thiès.

“Nearly 900 people were called in for questioning in the context of the security campaign led by national police amid the terrorist threat,” said police spokesman Henry Boumy Ciss, referring to a weekend campaign in the two cities.

A second security source confirmed the information, adding that 925 people had been questioned. Ciss said those interrogated were not targeted because they were terrorism suspects, but as part of a general vigilance campaign.

The arrests comes weeks after an attack at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, that claimed at least 30 people and left several others injured.

Security measures have been reinforced in the West African region, especially in major cities and the public is being advised to stay vigilant to prevent other attacks.

Senegal, which is largely dominated by Muslims has not yet experienced any terrorist attack from the Jihad fighters despite sharing a border with Mali where al Qaeda-linked fighters have been active in desert areas for years.

Senegalese President Macky Sall had called on all African leaders to promote a “tolerant Islam” and share intelligence to combat jihadist groups across the continent during the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa in November.