Ouagadougou: An army official says 10 soldiers have been arrested in Burkina Faso in connection with a raid on an armoury outside the capital.
Willy Yameogo, director of communications for the army, said yesterday that all 10 were former members of Burkina Faso’s presidential guard, a unit loyal to longtime President Blaise Compaore who was ousted in a popular uprising in 2014.
The presidential guard was disbanded after members staged a brief, failed coup last September.
The Friday morning raid on the weapons warehouse outside Ouagadougou came just one week after Islamic extremists attacked a cafe and hotel in the capital, killing at least 30 people.
Yameogo said one civilian was also arrested. He described this person as a “religious” figure but did not provide any details. He said more arrests were expected.