Beni: Three civilians abducted, motorcycle burned by suspected ADF fighters

A wave of insecurity has struck Beni territory in North Kivu, with at least three civilians abducted and a motorcycle set ablaze by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) fighters. The incidents occurred Wednesday in the localities of Makembi and Ruangau, approximately 60 kilometers northeast of Beni city, along the Eringeti-Kainama road.

Local civil society sources confirmed that two individuals were captured in Makembi, while a third was taken in Ruangau. While the exact circumstances remain unclear, residents widely attribute these abductions to the ADF, an armed group known to be active in the region. The burning of a motorcycle during the incursion has further heightened the climate of fear among the local population.

Civil society actors are denouncing a resurgence of ADF activity in villages along the Eringeti-Kainama axis. They express deep concern over the increasing number of armed incursions and abductions targeting civilians. Local leaders are calling for intensified military operations to secure vulnerable villages and prevent further attacks, emphasizing the need for sustained security force interventions to restore public confidence and ensure protection.

These three new abductions push the total number of missing or abducted individuals in the Beni territory to over eight within the span of roughly one week. This alarming series of events intensifies residents' fears of a significant deterioration in the security situation. Search efforts are underway to locate the victims and establish accountability, as communities urgently appeal to authorities for swift action to end this escalating violence.