Beni prison escape: Twelve military detainees flee Kangbayi facility

Twelve military detainees escaped from the Kangbayi central prison in Beni, North Kivu, during the night of October 9 to October 10, 2026. The group includes four Ugandan nationals who were previously convicted for their involvement in a bank robbery in Beni.

Authorities report that the fugitives used a hacksaw to cut through security devices in the facility's toilets before scaling the perimeter wall using tied sheets and blankets. While one escapee was apprehended by local residents and handed over to security services, a manhunt is underway for the remaining fugitives.

The incident has highlighted severe overcrowding at the Kangbayi facility, which was designed to hold 250 people but currently houses more than 2,350 detainees. Local civil society leaders have expressed concern regarding the security risks posed by the escapees and have urged the population to cooperate with law enforcement.