Motorcycle bandits operating in Goma: the city of Goma, located in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been facing an increase in insecurity since the start of the year. Acts of burglaries, kidnappings and even shootings have been reported, causing turmoil among the local population.
The provincial authorities therefore took a radical decision to try to put an end to this wave of crime: the ban on the circulation of motorcycles from 6:00 p.m. Indeed, many armed bandits operate on motorcycles to carry out their misdeeds, which makes their identification and capture difficult.
During the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, a series of intrusions by bandits, known as the “40 thieves”, was reported in several houses in the Majengo district. Unfortunately, during their passage, they shot and killed the secretary of the National Union of Congolese Workers (UNTC), North Kivu section.
This tragic event adds to a series of kidnapping cases recorded since the start of the year. A 3-year-old child was kidnapped in the Lac Vert district, a young student at ULPGL/Goma was kidnapped while she was on her way to the faculty, and a young boy under 10 years old was kidnapped on board a a jeep as he returned to school in Don Bosco Ngangi.
Faced with this skyrocketing insecurity, the provincial security council chaired by the military governor took several measures. In addition to the ban on the circulation of motorcycles after 6:00 p.m., currency traders are also affected and must end their activities from this time. In addition, a mobile police station will be opened to ensure the safety of the population.
These measures came into force on Wednesday January 10, 2024, in the hope of restoring tranquility and security in the city of Goma.
It is therefore essential that residents remain vigilant and work with law enforcement to report any suspicious behavior or criminal activity. Only collective mobilization can stem this wave of insecurity and guarantee a safer environment for all.
ARTICLE LINK: https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2024/01/10/goma-recrudescence-de-linsecurite-les-autorites-interdisent-la-circulation-des-motos-a-partir-de-18h00/