Breaking News

Breaking: Curbing the Rise of Kidnapping in Kinshasa, DR Congo

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 08:24 am

Night police roadblocks have reappeared in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC, to track down taxis accused of kidnapping, assaulting and ransoming helpless passengers.

Their “Road-block” operation allows ordinary vehicles to pass and only stops taxis, recognizable by their yellow color, ordered to park on the side and open their trunk.

Despite the inconvenience caused in the movement of the population, “these traffic jams are beneficial” in slowing down “the mobility of criminals,” he said.

The operation made it possible to reduce the cases of kidnappings, from 7 to 8 per day to one or none, according to him, a claim corroborated by colonel Mwana Mputu, spokesperson of the Kinshasa police. _

“These constant calls for help has reached the ears of those in power and without delay they instructed the forces of law and order to take over the city with police security measures, which began with the reinforcement of patrols.” _colonel Mwana Mputu, spokesperson of the Kinshasa police.

Brigitte Sharadi is an activist and has herself been a victim of kidnapping. She is now leading a campaign against it. “I have heard women crying about this but when I too experienced it, I thought ‘no, we must save others, we must save lives.’ That’s how all this began, we made a promise that what happened to us wouldn’t happen to others.” she explained.

Kinshasa is the largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Once a site of fishing and trading villages, it is now a megacity with a population of about 16 million.

(AFP)

Albert Echetah

Recent Posts

Africa and GCC Trade Doubles to $121 Billion

Trade between African and GCC countries stands at $ 121 billion in 2023, double of what it was in 2016.…

December 21, 2024

Families in Mayotte rebuilding their homes complain of lack of help

Family members struggling after one week after  of Cyclone Chido ripped through the French island territory of Mayotte expressed helplessness…

December 21, 2024

Ethiopian PM Inaugurates UAE-Funded Orphanage in Oromia

The United Arab Emirates has launched its orphanage project in Ethiopia's Oromia region on the orders of President Sheikh Mohamed…

December 21, 2024

A Rising Femicide Threat, Kenya’s Call to End Gender Based Violence

In just four months, 100 women have been killed, the majority by males they knew including spouses. Prime Cabinet Secretary…

December 20, 2024

Actor C Confion has passed away

The Ghanaian entertainment industry is in deep mourning following the sudden death of Bright Owusu, better known as C Confion.…

December 20, 2024

South Africa: 512 Accident Deaths and 941 Arrested for Drunk Driving Just on December Month

Since the beginning of December more than five hundred people have lost their lives on the nation's highways. Barbara Creecy,…

December 19, 2024

This website uses cookies.