Burkina Faso security seizes knives at craft fair
Ouagadougou police confiscated sharp objects and prohibited items on the first day of the 18th SIAO craft exhibition.
Security forces in Burkina Faso seized multiple prohibited items, including knives, scissors, and sharp-edged makeup compacts, on the opening day of the 18th Salon international de l’artisanat de Ouagadougou (SIAO) on October 30, 2026. The exhibition opened at 12:30 PM.
Aguima Abdoulaziz Yonli, head of SIAO security and regional police director for Kadiogo, stated that visitors were urged to avoid bringing valuable or bulky items to the event. He also advised exhibitors to adhere to fire prevention guidelines, such as avoiding makeshift electrical connections.
The security measures aim to protect attendees and their belongings at the exhibition. Emergency numbers 10-10, 17, 18, and 16 were provided for reporting suspicious activity.
Why it mattersVisitors and exhibitors at the 18th SIAO craft fair in Ouagadougou faced security checks and restrictions on items they could bring.