“They told me to shoot him from behind during prayer” – Presidential guard exposes alleged foreign plot
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – May 2025
A close bodyguard of Burkina Faso’s transitional leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has made a startling allegation: that he was offered $5 million and full foreign citizenship to assassinate the president — specifically while he was in prayer.
The unidentified guard claims foreign agents made the offer, describing it as “an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
“They offered me $5 million to shoot Ibrahim Traoré from behind, specifically when he bends to pray to Allah,” he revealed. “They even promised my family and me citizenship in their country. But I asked myself — is $5 million worth carrying a guilty conscience to my grave?”
The shocking confession, now circulating widely across regional news outlets and social media, has intensified fears over foreign interference and mounting threats to African leaders who defy Western influence.
“I’d rather live as a lion in the wild”
With emotion, the guard explained his decision to refuse the bribe:
“To them, money matters more than humanity. I’d rather live as a lion in the wild than as a dog in their city.”
The quote has quickly become a rallying cry for Pan-African voices online, praising his loyalty and moral courage.
A target of growing influence
Since rising to power through a 2022 coup, President Ibrahim Traoré has led a bold push for national sovereignty and the rejection of foreign influence. His government has severed long-standing military ties with France, strengthened relations with Russia, and doubled down on anti-insurgency operations in the Sahel region.
Some analysts believe his independence and stance against neocolonialism have made him a target.
“Traoré is seen by many as a symbol of African defiance,” says West African security analyst Dr. Ibrahima Konaté. “Any attempt on his life must be viewed within the larger context of Africa’s ongoing struggle for sovereignty.”
What happens next?
As of now, the Burkina Faso government has not officially commented on the allegations. No names have been mentioned, and no investigation has been publicly confirmed. But the revelation is expected to raise calls for enhanced presidential security and greater scrutiny of foreign activity within the country.
This development comes amid wider instability in West Africa, where military governments in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have recently formed a regional alliance, distancing themselves from Western blocs.
The story continues to unfold — with the world watching.
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