Updated on September 26, 2023, three notorious thugs who were actively sought by the Congolese police were finally arrested in a hotel located in the heart of Kisangani. Among the suspects, we find an individual from Uganda who appeared to collaborate closely with a gang of local criminals. Politico.cd reports that this arrest follows a spectacular theft which took place in a gold buying house in the commune of Makiso, where no less than 18,000 dollars and 80 million Congolese francs were stolen.
According to the Kisangani police commander, Colonel Floribert Kingombe, the criminals managed to drug the security guard of the gold buying house by adding substances to their drink. Once the sentry was in a drowsy state, they were able to enter the establishment and steal the large sums of money. The hotel in which they were hiding was also identified as being complicit in their misdeeds, leading to the arrest of the manager.
Fortunately, much of the stolen money was able to be recovered by the police, notably through transfers made via the mobile payment services M-Pesa and Orange Money, which were used by the criminals. Of the $18,000 stolen, the police were able to recover approximately $16,000, as well as 14 million Congolese francs out of the $80 million stolen.
This arrest and the recovery of part of the stolen money constitute a victory for Congolese law enforcement, who continue to track down criminals on the run and hope to arrest them soon.
Insecurity remains a major concern in the DRC, and authorities continue to implement measures to strengthen security and combat crime. Through targeted operations and collaboration with other security forces, the Congolese police hope to reduce the number of criminal incidents and protect the population against highway criminals.
Fighting crime in the DRC remains a significant challenge, but successes like this arrest demonstrate the continued efforts of security forces to maintain order and security in the country. The Congolese police will continue their efforts to apprehend fleeing criminals and establish a climate of security that will allow citizens to live in peace and serenity.