16 kidnapped by suspected FDLR rebels in eastern DR Congo

Rutshuru administrative authorities on Monday confirmed to Xinhua the kidnapping, but did not give the identity of the perpetrators.

A statement by a civil society group, CEPADHO, said gunmen abducted 16 civic educators of the Center for Rural Development (CEDERU), a group based in Goma, North Kivu province.

The civic educators were on their way back from a mission.

“Ten armed men came from the bush and blocked the road. They forced them to alight from their vehicles and took them to a nearby bush,” the statement said.

CEPADHO blamed the kidnapping on the FDLR rebels who have been active in the region.

Local authorities urged the Congolese army and the UN forces to step up the fight against FDLR rebels. Enditem

Source: Xinhua