Senegal tightens security as threat of terrorism grows, detains 900 people
By Staff Writer | Jan 28, 2016 05:51 AM EST
Senegal has launched a security operation following terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso and Mali. The West African country have detained 900 people for security checks.
Security analysts say that Senegal's capital Dakar is location vulnerable to terrorist attacks due to a sizeable number of expats who stay there. In response, Senegal Ministry of Justice Spokesman Soro Diop confirmed with the Associated Press that security has been heightened on all levels.
The officials clarified that those who are being detained are not being targeted as terrorists. Instead, they are being questioned for variety of offenses ranging from possession of drugs to counterfeiting currency and for not having proper documentation for vehicles, BBC reported.
In the nation's capital, Dakar, police and military visibility has increased. Both forces are on the lookout for anything that might be used by terrorists to infiltrate their territory.
"The police carried out these security measures as part of an operation against the threat of terrorism," he said.
The officials also asked hotels in Senegal to improve in their security. In the last three months, the terrorist targeted Splendid Hotel and Cappucino Café in Burkina Faso and the Radisson Blu Hotel in Barmako, Mali that killed 30 and 20 people respectively.
The responsibility for both attacks has been claimed by al-Queda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), BBC reported. In an interview, the group's leader threatened countries and regions that are allied with France, according to NDTV.
Senegalese President Macky Sall warned that extremism has no place in the country where both Christians and Muslims can live in peace. Likewise, he also warned the public to stay vigilant of their surroundings.
Meanwhile, neighboring West African nations also spoke about the attacks. Nigeria's Interior Minister Hassoumi Massaodou told civilians to avoid crowded areas. Chadian leader Idriss Deby Itno described the terror attacks to be worse threat than Ebolo that imposes additional burden to poorer countries.