Kinshasa, April 30th, 2025 (CPA) – The commander of a police station in Lemba, a municipality in the centre of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been arrested for failing to intervene in a burglary that occurred on Monday in this municipality, according to a press release from the provincial police station consulted on Tuesday.
‘Concerning the burglary reported in the municipality of Lemba, the commander of the police station where the crime was committed is being questioned to explain why he was unable to intervene in the event, which occurred not far from his office’, it read. According to the document, Monday evening was also marked by brief tension on Avenue Libération (formerly November 24th), opposite the Haute Ecole de Commerce and diagonally across from the provincial police station of the Congolese national police in the city of Kinshasa. According to the text, the incident was caused by ‘live ammunition fired by a number of clearly identified uniformed individuals responsible for the security of a private individual not far from the shopping centre’.
‘They were members of the National Intervention Legion (LNI) wearing black uniforms that did not conform to the uniforms of the Congolese National Police, who were fighting over a bribe given to them by a driver. The weapon held by one of these elements was taken by a civilian who had caused the disturbance’, added the source. According to the provincial police station, no human lives were lost during the operation. ‘One of the troublemakers was brought under control by units dispatched by Divisional Commissioner Blaise Kilimbalimba. He is being held at the provincial police headquarters. As others have been identified, the search is continuing for them to answer for their acts’, the press release concluded.
Investigation launched to apprehend the perpetrators of a robbery in Lemba
Jean-Serge Poba, burgomaster of Lemba
An investigation has been launched by the municipal authorities to apprehend the criminals behind a robbery at a shop in the Terminus district of Lemba. ‘We have launched an investigation to apprehend the criminals who broke into the Bukasa shop at around 4.30pm. We already have the images circulating, which will help us to identify the thugs and bring them to justice to answer for their acts’, said Jean-Serge Poba, burgomaster of the municipality of Lemba.
‘After their arrest, with the help of the courts, we are going to organize a public hearing to teach a lesson to all those who want to get involved in crime and acts of vandalism. Our constituents have the right to live in peace and to go about their business freely’, he added. Mr Poba also urged his constituents to work with the police to maintain order.
‘I invite the people of Lemba to collaborate with the police to help apprehend the criminals who often sow terror among our constituents. What I deplored about the population was that instead of calling us, they were filming the five assailants who broke in’, he said. According to José Yatumba, a victim of the robbery, there were three (3) robbers inside the shop and one outside alone, as well as two (2) motorcyclists waiting to transport the assailants after their crime. ‘We can’t say for sure how much money was taken. But all we know is that the criminals got in just as transactions were taking place. Some people were withdrawing money and others were sending it. What is certain is that the thugs took a lot of money’, he said.