Parakou: a young apprentice hairdresser robbed at the Dépôt market

According to reports from Fraternité FM, the victim was approached by individuals under the pretense of asking for information. Sensing danger, the young woman refused to stop and continued walking. At that moment, the assailants sprang into action, violently snatching her handbag before disappearing into the darkness.

The loot taken by the criminals included valuable items as well as her professional tools: her mobile phone, her personal identification card (CIP), some cash, and her hairstyling tools.

Despite the victim’s cries for help to alert passersby, the perpetrators managed to escape into the night. The young woman then went to the 1st arrondissement police station in Parakou to file a complaint and report the loss of her belongings.

Under the cover of anonymity, the victim recounted the details of this painful ordeal.

Victim’s testimony:

“I was leaving the salon around 9 PM to head home. When I reached the Dépôt market, two young men approached me as if they wanted to ask for directions. Since the area was a bit dark and it was late, I didn’t stop; I quickened my pace.

That’s when one of them surprised me from behind and suddenly yanked on my bag. By the time I realized what was happening, they had already fled running. I shouted with all my might for help, but there was almost no one on the street at that hour.

In that bag, there was everything I use to work at the salon, my phone, my money, and my CIP card. It’s really tough for me because those are my work tools. I just went to make a report at the 1st arrondissement police station, which decided to open an investigation.”