OPERATION KONDAMLGLOU-2018 ends successfully in Sankanduri of Burkina Faso

Security agencies in Ghana, Togo, Benin and Burkina Faso have been urged to collaborate and share intelligence information to combat cross-border crimes. 

The call was made at the climax of OPERATION KONDANLGLOU -2018 in Sankanduri of Burkina Faso. 

Sankanduri is the international command centre. 

The operation was aimed at tackling cross-border crimes such as terrorism, human trafficking, armed robberies and smuggling of contraband goods. 

Speaker after speaker expressed the need for security officers to exchange contacts in order to conduct surveillance on suspected criminals. 

There were recommendations that modern and sophisticated communication gadgets should be acquired for the security personnel at the borders. 

The OPERATION KONDANLGLOU -2018 was carried-out simultaneously in both countries. During the random search exercise, the personnel in both countries intercepted cannabis, weapons, unlicensed vehicles among others. 

Personnel from various security agencies in both countries under Operation Kondanlgou-2018 conducted joint border patrols, created snap check-points to help control the movement of persons in the area. 

Highways and other relevant routes within the operational area were also be patrolled.  

The National Security Advisor to President Nana-Addo, Brigadier General Emmanuel Okyere, said the failure of specific national approaches to addressing the challenges of cross-border problems in West Africa eventually culminated in recommendations by ECOWAS, the United Nations, UN and the European Union, EU to adopt a more coherent and co-ordinated regional approach to solving the problems. 

According to him, the facts remains that cross-border crimes still exist and different regional and sub-regional conventions adopted towards fighting different categories of crime have not necessarily achieved the desired impact. 

Brigadier General Okyere said transnational crime is a major problem confronting both countries. 

The Minister of National Security in Burkina Faso, Clement Savadogo, said data sharing between the countries will help them effectively deal with notorious criminals who carry-out their operations across the borders. 

He said residents in their operational areas appreciated their efforts in fighting crime across the borders. 

Mr. Savadogo suggested that such activities should be carried-out twice a year by the participating countries. 

The Upper East Regional minister, Rockson Bukari, said it is evident that OPERATION KONDANLGLOU -2018 was conducted in a smooth and friendly atmosphere. He said it has re-enforced the cooperation and unity among the countries.  

According to him, the move will help put innovative measures in place to help bring the dream of West African countries having a single currency come to reality.  

The Minister for Security and Civilian Protection of the Republic of Togo, Damahame Yark and the Defense Minister of Benin, Noutin Alain, pledged their outfit readiness to help eradicate cross-border crimes.

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