Gorilla Journal 32, June 2006

Attack on the Mugaba Patrol Post

The attack on the patrol post, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, took place during the night of 10 to 11 April, 2006, commencing at 11.30 pm. It was carried out by the Mai-Mai division of Colonel Mabolongo, "alias 106", and Hutu rebels under the leadership of "Chuck Norris". The post was attacked by approximately 50 troops, with another 50 on stand-by in the vicinity of the post.
The outcome was that one soldier of the FARDC (Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo) was killed and one was injured; 4 of the soldiers' wives and 26 men were kidnapped and taken into the forest; these people happened to be on a lorry that was looted at the post. On the side of the attackers, 2 rebels were killed and a major received a bullet wound. The post was looted: 2 AKA rifles with 60 rounds of ammunition, one GPS, one Motorola phone, one solar panel and the food rations of the guards were stolen.
During our visit to the patrol post, one of the women hostages returned - having been freed on 13 April. The other 3 women and most of the men were also freed in the meantime, but some still are with the attackers.
According to the information given by the returning woman, the objective of the attack had been to abduct the guards and the troops stationed at the post and incorporate them into the rebel force; unfortunately for the attackers, they encountered resistance. Since the attack, only 7 soldiers and 6 guards remain at the Mugaba patrol post. 

Kahuzi-Biega overview

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