### Removing in Kenge: when the mysteries and the belief intertwine
In the city of Kenge, a tragic and confusing event shook the community this Thursday, October 6. The kidnapping of Beni Ibanda, an alleged individual to have mystical powers, has not only intrigued the inhabitants but also raised questions about the very nature of faith and beliefs that permeate Congolese society. While the authorities have apprehended two suspects, Beni’s fate is still uncertain, plunging a community in anxiety and misunderstanding.
#### A disappearance that reveals cultura-religious anecdotes
This could be only a simple criminal act has been transformed into a saga where spirituality, superstition and a climate of distrust towards the authorities are involved. According to relatives of Béni Ibanda, the man experienced a resurrection after being declared dead at the scene of an accident. This story, both mythological and contemporary, testifies to the tenacious beliefs in force within the population. Pastor Musasu Gilbert-Paul, a respected and charismatic figure, affirms that Béni would have received divine missions, thus amplifying the mystical aura that surrounds him.
To better understand this complexity, it is imperative to immerse yourself in the Congolese cultural heritage which rocks the stories of ghosts, ancestors and mystical powers. Like several African countries, Congo-Kinshasa is a territory where traditional African beliefs sometimes coexist with more modern religions. This duality narrated through absences and feedback, although more or less folk, awakens fears anchored in the collective psyche. Indeed, it is common to see individuals rallying to spiritual figures, convinced that they hold the keys of a better future, a belief easily exploited by individuals with questionable intentions.
### Refissers’ training and techniques: a case study
The most astounding aspect of this case is not only the abduction itself, but the way in which the kidnappers acted. Using the victim’s phone to communicate with his relatives, they militarized their tactics, combining audacity and finesse in their criminal strategy. This Modus Operandi echoes other kidnappings across the country, where technology is diverted to manipulate the victims and their families.
Statistically, cybercrime and kidnappings for ransom purposes have increased considerably in Congo in recent years. According to data from the Ministry of Security, the reported kidnappings have doubled since 2019, revealing a disturbing trend. Kenge, in this case, is at the heart of a phenomenon that transcends simple reprehensible acts to ask questions about wider social plagues, such as poverty and despair, generating a fertile soil for this kind of crimes.
### Who draws the sons?
The fact that some Kenge dignitaries are involved in this case exacerbates the fears of an institutional complicity. This shadow that hovers over the judicial process only feeds a general distrust of the authorities. The parallel with the removal of a member of Lucha in 2020 is indicative of a model where institutions are perceived as incapable of protecting citizens, even in a city where vigilance should be in order. Questions on the protection of civil rights and security in general are therefore in the foreground.
The fact that the kidnappers not only endangered a life but also exposed the flaws of a system supposed to guarantee the security of citizens suggests many challenges to come. An urgent debate emerges around the need for a holistic approach which would not only focus on the repression of criminal acts, but on taking into account the deep causes of these crimes.
### Conclusion: the call for collective reflection
The tragedy of a man removed for his alleged mystical powers has become a catalyst for a deeper reflection on Congolese culture, faith and social fabric. The fundamental questions remain: how to establish a communion between belief and rationality? What legal and social framework to set up to protect citizens while honoring their spiritual diversity? At present, the disappearance of Beni Ibanda extends beyond his own reality and plunges Congolese society into a quest for meaning in the face of the adversity and the mystery of its existence.
The outcome of this case could provide new light on the struggle between established power and popular beliefs, while Kenge stands at a crossroads where the future still seems uncertain. However, one thing is certain: the voices demanding justice, transparency and security will rise with even more force as long as the mysteries surrounding this abduction are not resolved.