Ivory Coast: Five inmates killed during a search at Bouaké prison

Five inmates lost their lives and twenty-nine others were injured, including six prison officers, during a search operation at the Bouaké Penal House in Ivory Coast, announced Abel Nangbele Yeo, Public Prosecutor at the Bouake Court of First Instance.

The operation, carried out by the prison administration, was aimed at removing all prohibited items from detention, in accordance with current regulations.

The first buildings were inspected without incident, but the situation degenerated in building E, where inmates put up stiff resistance.

According to the prosecutor’s statement, prison officers were attacked with clubs, machetes and other blunt objects.

Overwhelmed, they fired warning shots and withdrew. The rapid intervention of the Gendarmerie Nationale and the Police Nationale brought the violence under control and restored order.

The incident left five inmates dead and 29 injured, including six prison officers and 23 inmates.

All the injured were treated, and a forensic pathologist was called in for the usual examinations, according to the public prosecutor.

The public prosecutor that other similar operations had already led to the discovery of large quantities of drugs, psychotropic substances and psychotropic substances and weapons, highlighting the need to reinforce security in prisons.