Securing the 2025 New Year’s Eve in Dédougou: A Deep Dive into the ‘Wibga’ Operation and Modern Policing Strategy
As the clock struck midnight on December 31, 2025, the city of Dédougou transitioned into the new year under a meticulously planned security umbrella. The National Police (PN) executed a comprehensive security coverage plan, deploying nearly 200 officers to ensure the safety of citizens and their property. This operation provides a compelling case study in proactive, community-focused policing during high-risk periods.
The Strategic Blueprint: Deploying 200 Officers for Maximum Coverage
The core of the security plan was a multi-layered deployment of 152 police personnel across strategic locations. This significant force was not merely a show of presence but a calculated distribution of resources designed to create overlapping zones of security. Teams were strategically positioned at critical infrastructure points, including major roundabouts, key intersections, and places of worship—locations historically associated with both large gatherings and potential vulnerabilities.
This approach moves beyond simple patrols to establish a visible and responsive security network. The deployment included specialized units: static checkpoint teams to control and monitor flow, dynamic patrol teams for rapid response and area denial, and judicial police officers on standby to handle any serious incidents requiring immediate investigative action.
Beyond Crowd Control: The Multifaceted Mission of Holiday Policing
The mission’s official objective was to “ensure the population could celebrate safely and minimize risks.” In practice, this translated into a three-pronged operational focus that addresses the most common holiday threats:
1. Traffic Safety and Accident Prevention
End-of-year celebrations often see a tragic spike in traffic accidents due to impaired driving and increased congestion. Dédougou’s police conducted systematic document checks and, more importantly, proactive awareness campaigns directly with road users. This dual tactic of enforcement and education is a modern best practice, aiming to prevent accidents before they occur rather than just responding to them.
2. Property Crime Deterrence
With many families away from home celebrating, the risk of burglaries increases. The high-visibility patrols and checkpoints served as a powerful deterrent. The constant police presence in residential and commercial areas disrupts the planning and execution of property crimes, directly protecting citizens’ assets during a vulnerable time.
3. General Public Safety and Order
The integrated presence ensures a rapid response to any public disturbance, medical emergency, or isolated incident, maintaining an overall environment where celebration can proceed without fear.
Operation “Wibga”: A Sustained Security Initiative
Central Commissioner Wilfried Sanon revealed that this New Year’s deployment was part of the larger “Wibga” operation, a initiative launched by the Minister of Security and extending until mid-January 2026. This context is crucial. It shows that the security strategy is not a one-night stand but a sustained campaign covering the entire holiday period, which often sees residual risks in the days following major celebrations.
Commissioner Sanon’s report of “appreciable results” suggests that the operation’s framework—combining visibility, prevention, and enforcement—is effectively meeting its goals. His call for public trust and adherence to security instructions underscores a key principle of modern security: effectiveness is a partnership between the police and the community. Public cooperation with checkpoints and heeding safety advice exponentially increases the efficiency of the deployed officers.
Lessons in Proactive Community Security
The Dédougou 2025 New Year’s security plan offers valuable insights for municipal security planning everywhere. It demonstrates the importance of:
Advanced, Multi-Tiered Planning: Moving from reaction to prevention by identifying risk points (intersections, worship centers) and pre-positioning resources.
Integrated Tactics: Blending static checkpoints, mobile patrols, and investigative readiness to cover a spectrum of potential incidents.
Sustained Operations: Framing a single night’s event within a longer-term operation (“Wibga”) to address extended holiday risks.
Community Engagement: Viewing the public not just as beneficiaries but as active partners in safety through awareness and compliance.
By detailing this operation, we see a model of deliberate, strategic policing aimed at preserving peace and enabling celebration—a critical service that forms the invisible foundation for a happy and prosperous new year for the residents of Dédougou.
Yacouba BELEM