Attacks in Touba: Tawfekh police dismantle a gang operating in horse-drawn carts

Three tile setters in two carts are suspected of having assaulted and robbed a passerby. They have been brought before the prosecutor in Diourbel.

On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, around 9:00 p.m., special operations, described as "lightning strikes," were carried out within the jurisdiction of the Touba Special Police Station to combat rampant crime in the holy city. Officers from the Touba-Tawfekh District Police Station's investigation unit, who were on patrol, received a report of a robbery in the vicinity.

Police officers immediately went to the location to apprehend the perpetrators. The first to be arrested that night was D. Ndiaye, 21, a tile setter. The following day, around noon, his alleged accomplices voluntarily went to the Touba-Tawfekh police station to inquire about their arrested associate. They were apprehended there.

Formally identified by the victim, they gave their identities: A. Diakhaté, 20 years old, tiler, and F. Diop, 20 years old, tiler.

The victim's account

In a statement recorded in the police report, Mr. Samb, 38, a ceiling installer residing in Madiyana, explained that he was walking along the roadside when he saw two carts speeding by. The suspects were inside. The two carts then turned around and headed towards him. As soon as they reached him, the occupants violently attacked him. During the fight, one of them took the opportunity to steal his Samsung A22 mobile phone and 180,000 CFA francs.

The suspects' version

Subjected to a summary interrogation, then formally recorded in court, the three suspects denied the charges, but failed to convince investigators. They admitted that they were all together on the two carts at the time of the incident. They also admitted to fighting with the victim, who, according to them, was unjustly demanding their cell phone back. They added that they fled "to save their own skins." They abandoned the hitched carts upon seeing the patrolling police vehicle.

Following questioning, D. Ndiaye, A. Diakhaté, and F. Diop were taken into custody for conspiracy and aggravated theft committed at night using vehicles. The two carts and the horses were impounded for the purposes of the investigation.

At the end of the investigation, the three alleged attackers were brought before Prosecutor Amary Faye, head of the prosecutor's office at the Diourbel High Court, on Friday morning, October 9.