Oyo deployment under Operation Zero Kuluna
DGSP officers officially arrived Friday, Jan. 9, in Oyo, about 405 kilometers north of Brazzaville, as part of Operation “Zero Kuluna.” The initiative, launched on Sept. 28, aims to curb armed banditry and improve public safety across the Republic of the Congo.
Local sources said the unit’s presence in Oyo was presented as an extension of the ongoing security push already visible in other areas, including Brazzaville. Authorities have framed the operation as a practical response to public concern about roadside crime and gang activity.
Four suspects arrested near the Alima River
Soon after the DGSP’s arrival on the banks of the Alima River, four suspected bandits were arrested, according to the account shared locally. They were then escorted back to the unit’s base under a strong security presence.
Witnesses described a supportive atmosphere around the escort. A cheering crowd accompanied the scene, chanting in Lingala, “Yo nani, o boya DGSP?”—a phrase translated locally as, “Who are you to challenge the DGSP?”
President Sassou Nguesso’s directive on gang crackdowns
In October, President Denis Sassou Nguesso publicly acknowledged that he had ordered the pursuit of gangs. Since then, elite elements attached to presidential security have been reported as mobilized for several months to track and dismantle violent groups.
In Brazzaville in particular, these gangs are commonly referred to as “bébés noirs” or “Kulunas.” Residents have repeatedly linked them to intimidation and insecurity, making the government’s emphasis on sustained operations a closely watched topic in daily life.
Traffic discipline and moto-taxi helmet enforcement
Alongside arrests, presidential security elements have also focused on restoring order in traffic, including controls around moto-taxis. Local reporting highlighted that helmet use for both drivers and passengers has been strongly emphasized during checks.
For many commuters, especially in busy corridors where moto-taxis are widely used, the helmet requirement is seen as a concrete, easy-to-understand safety measure. Several residents interviewed locally described the approach as reassuring and welcomed the visible enforcement.
What residents are watching next in Oyo
In Oyo, attention is now turning to how long the deployment will last and whether further arrests will follow. Community members also say they expect coordination with local authorities to keep the security gains stable over time.
For families and small businesses, the immediate concern is straightforward: safer roads and safer neighborhoods. The government’s stated objective, residents say, will be judged by day-to-day results—fewer incidents and a more orderly public space.