Kongo Central: three highway robbers arrested by police on the RN1

Matadi, May 24^th, 2026 (CPA). – Three suspected highway robbers have been arrested during the night of Saturday to Sunday following an operation carried out by the Congolese National Police (PNC) on National Road No. 1 (RN1), near Mikelo, in the territory of Songololo, in Kongo Central, in the south-west of the Democratic Republic of Congo, CPA has learnt from police sources. “The assailants, numbering nine, dressed in civilian clothing and hooded, had managed to stop eight vehicles at around 10.00 pm local time with the aim of robbing road users. Alerted to the situation, the acting provincial police commissioner, Colonel Adolphe Benanga, has immediately dispatched the mobile police unit based in Kimpese to the scene,” has declared Martin Solo, communications adviser to the provincial governor, as quoted by the source.  “The intervention by the security forces has led to several exchanges of gunfire. Three suspects have been arrested, another neutralised, whilst five alleged criminals have managed to escape. The police have indicated that pursuit operations are underway to track down the fugitives,” he has reported. And to add: “The three individuals arrested are currently being held at the Kimpese police station pending their planned transfer to Matadi, where they are expected to be presented to the provincial governor this afternoon.” Informed of this operation, the governor of Kongo Central, Grace Nkuanga, has praised the professionalism of the national police officers involved in this security operation, has said the communications adviser. The head of the provincial executive has, on this opportunity, 
reaffirmed
 his commitment to strengthening security in the province, highlighting the logistical support provided to the defence and security forces since the start of his term to enable them to carry out their mission effectively, he
has concluded. CPA/