Benin: Notorious gang leader’s run ends in Kilibo
The hunt was long, methodical, and relentless. On the morning of Thursday, July 10, 2025, the Republican Police apprehended one of the most feared criminals in the Kilibo region, suspected of being the mastermind behind a network of particularly violent robbers.
Véhicule de la police républicaine .
@Présidence du Bénin
It was in the heart of a designated forest, chosen as a discreet hideout, that the fugitive was found. He was hiding there while leading an seemingly peaceful life, tending to herds of cattle, unaware that law enforcement was gradually closing in on him.
The suspect was actively sought for his alleged involvement in several attacks, notably the one that occurred on April 28, 2025, on the Toui PK – Ayétoro axis, where cattle traders were violently assaulted. The loot: over six million CFA francs. Consistent testimonies collected over the months, especially from accomplices arrested earlier in the year, helped to identify him as the leader of the armed group.
An operation of extreme brutality
According to investigators, the suspect used bladed weapons – machetes, daggers – but also firearms to carry out his attacks, instilling an atmosphere of terror in rural areas. His reputation as a cunning, violent, and elusive man made him a feared figure throughout the department.
His arrest marks a major victory in the fight against insecurity in the region, according to authorities, who praise the meticulous intelligence work and cooperation with the local population.
The suspect has been taken into custody. He is expected to be presented in the coming days to the special prosecutor at the CRIET, where he will have to answer for armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, and attempted homicide.