Police Officers’ Homes Set Ablaze by Angry Youths in Ango

Ango, Bas-Uele Province, January 3, 2026 - Tensions escalated in Ango territory, Bas-Uele province, after the burial of two victims of police violence, leading to acts of retaliation by angry youths who set fire to dozens of homes belonging to police officers. According to local authorities, 38 houses owned by police officers were burned down in one of Ango’s two neighborhoods, following the funerals of the victims, who were shot and killed by police on New Year’s Eve. After an emergency meeting convened on Saturday, January 3, 2026, the Deputy Territorial Administrator, Alfred Kipa, announced that measures had been taken to prevent a recurrence of such violence. Calm reportedly returned to the area after the funerals, which the deputy administrator described as dignified. He also confirmed that financial assistance was provided to the bereaved families, following his intervention with the provincial governor. Despite this, Alfred Kipa strongly condemned the destruction caused by what he described as unemployed youths, noting that nearly all police housing in the affected area had been targeted, including the residence of the group leader. “Five houses were burned down, including that of the leader, as well as others belonging to police officers who were absent,” he said. “We have decided to reinforce patrols to put an end to these barbaric acts carried out by a handful of unemployed youths.” Left without shelter, the affected police officers have taken refuge in a building previously donated to the territorial administration by an NGO. Authorities have pledged to allocate land to enable them to rebuild their homes. The unrest follows the fatal shooting of two civilians by police on the evening of January 1, as residents were celebrating the New Year, an incident that has deeply shaken the local community.