Mbuji-Mayi, capital of the province of Kasai-Oriental in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is currently facing a series of kidnappings which is causing concern among the population. According to reports, seven people of all ages were abducted in less than two weeks. However, the commander of the Congolese National Police (PNC) in the city, Willy Babou, denies the existence of these kidnappings, calling them mere rumors aimed at sowing psychosis among the population.
In a statement to the press, the PNC commander in Mbuji-Mayi said: “It’s an incredible situation. There are even students and schoolchildren who do this to themselves to ransom something from their parents.” He also claims that no relatives have complained about such abductions and that there is not enough reliable information about them.
Despite the denials of the authorities, the population remains concerned and is asking for concrete actions to guarantee their safety. The town hall of Mbuji-Mayi even announced a reward of 500 US dollars for anyone providing information on the alleged kidnappers, in the hope of shedding light on this situation.
It is important to emphasize that security is a major issue in many parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which faces persistent security challenges such as armed violence, kidnappings and acts of crime. The authorities must take effective measures to guarantee the protection of citizens and restore public confidence.
In conclusion, the situation of kidnappings in Mbuji-Mayi arouses the concern of the local population, while the authorities claim that these are simply unfounded rumours. It is essential that the security services work closely with the population to identify and neutralize potential kidnappers, in order to restore confidence and ensure the safety of all inhabitants of Mbuji-Mayi