Russian Mercenaries Sack Pendere Village In Central African Republic

Three persons were killed while six others sustained injuries during a raid by Russian mercenaries of the Wagner Security Group on Pendere village, situated 30 km from the Bouar town on the Beloko highway in the Nana-Membere prefecture to the Northwest of the Central African Republic.

Many  houses including storehouses were also razed during the raid on Friday, Jan. 28.

According to local sources, the heavily-armed Russian mercenaries arrived in the small village in their vehicle and started shooting, burning, and looting without provocation.

“They arrived between 4 and 5 p.m. (local time) and their presence sent panic waves throughout the village,” an  eyewitness in Galo, situated 15 km from Baboua revealed, adding that the Russians also tried to arrest the quarter head.

“Without asking questions, they started burning houses, looting and vandalizing shops as well as sacking storehouses.”

He said the  chief was captured but was able to escape unhurt. 

“They pushed him to the ground and tied his feet with a rope from the national flag. Miraculously, the chief succeeded in escaping and they fired at him in vain.”

The village is reported to have been deserted except for a few children who were yet to locate their parents.

The displaced persons from the village have called on humanitarian organizations to come to their aid as they have lost everything in this attack by Russian mercenaries who gave no reason for the incursion.