Gambiaj.com – (BAKEL, Senegal) – The Tambacounda Gendarmerie’s Research Section has dismantled a network disseminating jihadist propaganda across WhatsApp following the arrest of a Malian national, Hndebé Key, also known as Bara Guillé or Obama, in Bakel.
According to reports by the Senegalese media, the arrest occurred in the village of Sinthiou Dialinguel, in the commune of Bélé, where gendarmes uncovered disturbing evidence pointing to a well-structured online network spreading extremist content across borders.
What initially appeared to be a routine check quickly turned into a major counterterrorism operation. Investigators examining the suspect’s mobile phone found numerous videos glorifying terrorist attacks in the Sahel region and other explicit materials promoting violent extremism.
The probe led to the identification of a certain Boubou Sow, based in Mali, believed to be one of the principal administrators of the network.
Further investigations revealed at least seven WhatsApp groups dedicated to disseminating jihadist propaganda, with the majority of members located in Mali and neighboring countries.
One of the largest groups, named “Iba International 24/24,” had 454 members, including nine Senegalese.
The group primarily communicated in the Fulani language and regularly shared content glorifying armed attacks and providing tutorials on how to manufacture improvised explosive devices. Many of these messages were framed as denunciations of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Significantly, investigators discovered that Hndebé Key was the only member using a Senegalese phone number, making him the principal contact and operational link for the network inside Senegal.
When questioned, Key admitted to managing all the groups but claimed his intention was merely to “raise awareness among the Fulani about stigmatization.” However, investigators dismissed this defense, citing overwhelming digital evidence of his involvement in promoting extremist ideology.
The suspect has been charged and referred to the prosecutor at the Tambacounda High Court for advocating terrorism.
Authorities say the operation underscores Senegal’s growing vigilance against extremist infiltration, particularly in the eastern regions bordering Mali, areas increasingly seen as potential gateways for Sahel-based terrorist propaganda.
