A soldier has been held responsible for a devastating family massacre that claimed the lives of 13 innocent people in Ituri, located in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials said. The horrifying incident took place last Saturday, leaving the entire community in mourning.
The soldier, identified as Babby Ndombe Opetu, 32, a private serving in the Congolese naval force based in Tchomia, on the shores of Lake Albert, faced trial in flagrante since Tuesday before the Ituri garrison military court. On Wednesday, the court pronounced its verdict, and Franck Bahati, president of the Tchomia youth association, informed AFP that Babby Ndombe Opetu was sentenced for his grievous actions.
According to witnesses’ testimonies, the soldier was unable to bear the fact that one of his children had passed away in his absence and was buried without him being informed. Overwhelmed with grief and anger, upon returning to the locality of the child’s death in the fishing village of Nyakova, within the territory of Djugu, he unleashed a barrage of gunfire on the people who had gathered to mourn the child.
After committing the heinous act, the soldier attempted to flee, but the authorities swiftly apprehended him in Tchomia. During the court hearing, the accused revealed that he was also embroiled in a financial dispute with his wife. Apart from the loss of his child, he stated, “here are things that annoyed me and indeed, I shot her,” indicating that his actions were fueled by rage and distress.
Regrettably, his wife suffered serious injuries to her hand, and 13 other innocent individuals, including at least nine children, lost their lives in the senseless act of violence. Tragically, two of the victims were the shooter’s own children.
During the trial, the judge questioned the soldier, asking why he targeted people who had no involvement in the conflict between him and his wife. In response, the accused admitted to acting out of anger, expressing remorse for his actions and the loss of lives he caused.
The military tribunal found Babby Ndombe Opetu guilty of the murder of 13 civilians and the attempted murder of two others. As a consequence, he has been sentenced to capital punishment, a penalty that has not been implemented in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the past two decades. However, it’s worth noting that capital punishment is typically commuted to life imprisonment in the country.
In addition to the death sentence, Babby Ndombe Opetu has been disbarred from the armed forces. Moreover, the court has ordered him to pay one million dollars in damages to the families of the victims.
Responding to the verdict, Franck Bahati, president of the Tchomia youth association, expressed the community’s desire for the Congolese state to ensure that the families of the victims receive appropriate compensation for their immeasurable loss.
The incident has sparked deep sorrow and outrage throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives and contemplates the implications of such a tragedy.
(With inputs from agencies)
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