Four Pakistani nationals were arrested at the Nobili customs post in the Nord-Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to reports, they were attempting to enter the country from neighboring Uganda. The individuals were apprehended at the Nsungu 3 track, and subsequently transferred to the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) for interrogation. Their arrest has raised concerns among local authorities and security services.
The four individuals claimed to have come to the Watalinga chiefdom for an Islamic evangelization mission, according to Mubele Musaidizi, president of the local civil society. However, this explanation has not alleviated concerns among security services, who are seeking to establish the true motivations behind their travel, their itineraries, and the circumstances of their arrival in the region. The authorities are also investigating potential links to the ADF, a militant group active in the area.
The investigation has been complicated by the fact that the four Pakistani nationals do not speak Swahili, English, or Lingala, making communication with investigators challenging. As a result, they were transferred to Beni to allow competent services to continue the interrogations and determine the reasons for their presence in this sensitive zone. The region has been experiencing security challenges, including incursions and attacks attributed to the ADF.
The Watalinga chiefdom, located in a border region with Uganda, has been facing security challenges, including incursions and attacks attributed to the ADF. This situation requires increased vigilance regarding unusual movements of people in border areas. However, no official information is available to establish a link between the four Pakistani nationals and ADF activities.
The transfer of the four individuals to Beni aims to enable competent services to continue the interrogations and determine the reasons for their presence in this sensitive zone. The authorities are working to establish the facts surrounding their arrival and to assess potential security risks. The incident has sparked concerns about the security situation in the region.
According to Le Potentiel, a local publication, the incident occurred on November 8, 2026. The article reported that the four individuals were arrested at 12:13 PM local time. The authorities have not released further information about the individuals or their activities.
The conclusions of the security services' investigations are awaited to shed more light on this affair. The incident highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between security services and local authorities to address security challenges in the region. Chadrack Byaruhanga, based in Bunia, reported on the incident for Le Potentiel.
Key points
- The four Pakistani nationals were arrested while attempting to enter the DR Congo from Uganda, sparking security concerns.
- The individuals claimed to have come to the Watalinga chiefdom for an Islamic evangelization mission, but their explanation has not alleviated concerns among security services.
- The investigation has been complicated by the language barrier, as the four individuals do not speak Swahili, English, or Lingala.
