Three citizens suspected of being the ringleaders of kidnappings and armed robberies in the center and north of the country are under investigation by the police authorities, the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) announced this Tuesday.

The same individuals are accused of several crimes, "and the first was arrested here in Beira City and two others in Zambezia province, as part of the diligence that the police had been carrying out since last year," said Alfeu Sitoe, spokesman for SERNIC in Sofala.

The source stressed that, the trio of suspects is accused of "leading a group of bandits" that commit kidnappings and armed robberies in commercial establishments in the provinces of Sofala and Zambezia, in the center, and Nampula, in the north.

In the possession of the three detainees, an AK-47 firearm was seized, loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, which was allegedly used in robberies, and two vehicles that were used in the commission of crimes.

Some Mozambican cities, mainly the country's capital, have again been plagued since 2020 by a wave of kidnappings, targeting mainly businessmen or their family members.

In November 2021, the Republic of Mozambique Police launched the formation of a mixed force to respond to this type of crime, a group of officers who will be trained by Rwandan specialists.