The recent joint military operation led by the FARDC-UPDF forces led to the release of about a hundred civilians who were held hostage by the ADF rebel forces. The intervention took place during the night of Wednesday 30 to Thursday 31 October in the Mont Hoyo forest, located in Ituri province. This release is the result of the courage and determination of the armed forces who carried out targeted bombings to weaken the attackers and allow the hostages to escape.
According to information provided by local civil society, 118 people, including women and children, managed to escape from the hands of the rebels and were handed over to the military authorities in Komanda. The survivors testified to their escape during the airstrikes carried out by the FARDC-UPDF coalition. This release marks a turning point in the fight against the armed groups that are sowing terror and instability in the region.
Pascal Kisezo, president of the local civil society, stressed the importance of treating these survivors with care in order to guarantee their safety and harmonious reintegration into society. He called on the authorities to carefully identify each individual to avoid any infiltration of hostile people among the freed.
The military administrator of the Irumu territory, Siro Nsimba Bunga Jean, praised the courage of the former hostages and encouraged them to trust the army. He recalled the commitment of the military in the release of these people and called for close collaboration between the population and the security forces to ensure peace and security in the region.
These civilians had been captured more than a month ago by the ADF in different villages in the region. Their release is a sign of hope for local communities who aspire to live in peace and security. The joint FARDC-UPDF forces have intensified their operations along the Komanda-Luna axis to secure the region and allow the free movement of people and goods.
Ultimately, this mass release of hostages demonstrates the determination of the security forces to combat insecurity and protect vulnerable populations. It also strengthens the population’s confidence in the military authorities and reinforces hope for a better future for the region.