Saraya: 6.7 million FCFA stolen in the robbery of a Chinese mining operation

A 45-year-old Chinese national was seriously injured in an attack on the night of October 25 in Faranding, Saraya County. Six armed individuals are believed to have been involved in the robbery. Security forces have launched an investigation.

Insecurity has once again struck the gold mining areas of the Kédougou region. On the night of October 24-25, 2026, a group of six armed individuals attacked the area known as "Adama Universel," located in Faranding and operated by a Chinese company, in the department of Saraya.

According to initial information gathered, the territorial gendarmerie brigade of Saraya was alerted on October 25 at 2:29 a.m. The events reportedly took place a few minutes earlier, around 2 a.m., while a security guard was standing watch on the watchtower located at the entrance to the base.

According to the testimony of the security guard, Mamadou Souka Diouf, the assailants ordered him to come down after firing shots into the air. Frightened, he complied. The perpetrators then pointed their weapons at him, while other members of the group attacked a Chinese national in his apartment.

The security guard claims to have heard cries for help coming from the house. It was only after the assailants had left that he discovered the victim, covered in blood.

6.7 million CFA francs taken

The preliminary report indicates one person is seriously injured. He is Lonan Skiti, 45, the farm's treasurer. The assailants also made off with 6.7 million CFA francs, according to information gathered.

The six individuals were armed with rifles and handguns. According to initial witness statements, they spoke French with a foreign accent. These details will need to be verified as part of the investigation.

The gendarmerie and GARSI 2 mobilized

Following the alert, gendarmerie officers went to the scene to carry out the usual investigations. They were accompanied by a team from GARSI 2 based in Moussala, as well as a drone team. A search was launched in the area where the attackers were presumed to have retreated in order to find the perpetrators of this attack.

An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the robbery, identify those responsible, and apprehend them. At this stage, no information has been released regarding any arrests.

This new attack brings back to the forefront the issue of the safety of people and facilities in the gold mining areas of Saraya department.