Chief Superintendent Diégane Sène, head of the Touba Special Police Station, provided an update on the security operations carried out ahead of the Grand Magal. He also revealed the impressive security measures deployed to ensure the protection of the millions of pilgrims expected in the holy city.

An event with growing security challenges

"The Grand Magal of Touba commemorating the departure into exile of Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba, founder of Mouridism, is an event of national, even international, dimension," recalled Commissioner Sène.

This major event "draws millions of worshippers from diverse backgrounds every year and poses constantly growing security challenges."

True to tradition, the National Police undertook several actions before, during, and after this major religious event. This comprehensive approach was symbolized by the inspection visit of the system by the Director General of the National Police, accompanied by his senior colleagues.

Three types of coordinated operations

The police forces implemented a security strategy based on three main areas: combined operations between the Touba special police station and its secondary branches with the Mbacké urban police station, justified by the geographical proximity between these two cities. Operation "Karangé Baol," this year's innovation. It brought together all the police units in the Diourbel region: the Diourbel central police station, the Mbacké and Bambey urban police stations, the Touba special police station and its secondary branches, the GMI operational group, the regional narcotics squad, and the intelligence services. Combined operations with the gendarmerie, particularly the Touba gendarmerie company, demonstrated exemplary inter-force coordination.

A significant number of arrests

These various operations, as well as the daily security missions, have enabled us to record convincing results, with 526 individuals arrested for various offences, including 449 for identity checks, 26 for public and obvious drunkenness, 16 for possession and use of cellulosic products, 12 for possession of Indian hemp, four for possession of bladed weapons, four for operating unlicensed drinking establishments, three for the need for an investigation, two for theft committed at night in a group with the use of means of transport, two for possession and use of ecstasy, one for driving without a driving licence, one for flagrant theft, one for attempted theft and one for offering and transferring cellulosic products.

Among these arrests, 102 individuals were brought before the Diourbel and Mbacké public prosecutors.

In the context of road traffic, the police also carried out large-scale operations, with 1,626 items seized, 191 vehicles and 99 motorcycles immobilized. The amount of fixed fines collected amounts to 1,712,000 CFA francs, testifying to the intensity of the checks carried out.

An exceptional security system

For this edition of Magal, the police put in place a preparatory system from July 26, coinciding with the 1st Safar, with 100 GMI elements deployed to support the Touba units in traffic regulation, clearance operations and security.

The massive deployment of personnel began on Saturday, August 9, and was fully effective the following day at 11 p.m. This impressive force consists of 4,606 police officers from the various operational departments and branches of the national police.

In terms of material resources, the police have deployed 154 vehicles, including 98 personnel carriers, 20 command vehicles, 36 intervention vehicles (five armoured vehicles) and significant additional logistical support.

The surveillance and intervention system includes 52 surveillance cameras and aerial resources to strengthen the security network across the entire territory concerned.

Strengthened community policing

Eleven advanced police posts have been set up in areas known to be crime-prone to bring police services closer to the population: Madyana, Mbar, the Darou Mouhty garage, commonly known as "Buntu Pikine", and the roundabout located between Mbacké and Touba.

An innovation: medical stations

The police also set up two advanced medical posts: one at the Madyana health post and the second at the GMI headquarters in Tokorba. These posts provide free medical care and medication to the population.

"This initiative by the National Police Directorate General, which is being consolidated after a successful test last year, is part of the concept of community policing and, more specifically, policing at the service of the citizen," said Commissioner Sène.

Call for citizen collaboration

The security official concluded with a call for collaboration: "I invite the population to collaborate with the police services, and in general the defense and security forces, so that we can optimally ensure the security of the Grand Magal of Touba."

Regarding drivers, transporters and chauffeurs, he called on them to "respect the Highway Code so that we can minimize traffic accidents."

For any need, the police services can be reached at any time at 78 295 34 34.