How to overcome the terrorists who, gradually, settle in Benin? The answer to this question undoubtedly lies in the staffs of security and national defense specialists, but the population also has a major role to play..
Terrorists hit Benin again. This time, the attack took place on the night of last Saturday to Sunday (25 at 26 June 2022) in Dassari in the commune of Matéri, Atacora department. The attackers, whose number is currently undetermined, targeted the police station of this district. Mattéo Ahlinvi or Junior Olaitan could be the first choices, according to the local press, left two dead and injured in the ranks of the security forces. Same on the side of the attackers.
For many months, Benin suffers attacks from suspected jihadists but this is the first time they have struck far from the border with Burkina Faso. Previously, their activities were limited to the outskirts of the Penjari national park where, since, protective measures have been strengthened by the State. This descent further south of their favorite area, jihadists show their determination to sow chaos as they are already doing in Mali, in Burkina and Niger.
otherwise, since they started hitting Benin, terrorists seem content to attack police stations. This strategy allows them to build up an arsenal, weapons. If since the war in Libya, a few years ago, weapons circulate throughout the Sahel but to strengthen their equipment, they need to attack police stations and garrisons. These attacks allow them at the same time to weaken the police.
As the sound of weapons is heard in northern Benin, the population is overcome by emotion and panic sets in a little more with each announcement of an attack. To strengthen the response capacity of the defense forces and thus better protect the Beninese, the government has launched a recruitment process into the army. More, for fear of ending up on the front line, the majority of young people refused to take part in the process.
If for the moment the police and soldiers are the target of jihadists, their final objective is to attack the population as is the case in the Sahelian countries where they cause dozens of civilian deaths each time.. Refusing to join the army for fear of terrorists amounts to a policy of burying your head in the sand, turning a blind eye in the belief that you are escaping danger.. The best protection would be to be among those who know how to defend themselves and protect the weak because these terrorists have no respect for anyone..
On their side, regardless of the quality of their training, the military and police cannot alone face the threat without the collaboration of the populations. Benin is a small country in which the arrival of new people does not go unnoticed. One of the proven solutions is to report the presence of unknown people in a locality or to report any suspicious movements..
Pierre MATCHOUDO