By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Security forces have re-arrested no fewer than 250 out of the over 800 inmates who escaped a prison in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo earlier in the week following an attack by armed men.
The country’s relevant security agencies are still in search for the remaining escapees from the Kakwangura central prison in Butembo.
Security officials on Thursday presented 166 of the inmates in addition to the 86 other fugitives who had earlier been captured with the help of the public.
Attackers numbering over 80 had invaded the prison facility, overpowering the 15 police officers guarding the prison at 02:30am on Wednesday, army spokesman Capt Anthony Mwalushayi said. .
The army blames the ADF, an armed group with links to the Islamist State (IS) jihadist group for carrying out the attack. The IS group has admitted it was behind the attack.
Two policemen were killed at the prison attack and later on local people caught and burnt alive three fugitives believed to be ADF fighters, the authorities said.
Meanwhile there is still a tense atmosphere over the many other escapees still at large – though many residents have continued with their daily activities with shops reopening.
