Three members of the national gendarmerie were arrested on Monday, May 18, 2026, in the municipality of Marcory. They are accused of assaulting, robbing, and attempting to extort money from a local resident. A judicial investigation was immediately opened.

A high-tension arrest

The incident occurred around 7:00 a.m., near the Sainte-Bernadette Catholic Church. According to security sources, the three soldiers allegedly robbed a local resident, stealing:

1. Two cell phones
2. A silver chain
3. A sum of 25,000 FCFA

Not content with this theft, the suspects then allegedly held the victim captive, demanding 50,000 FCFA in exchange for his release.

Alerted by the scene, angry residents chased after the unruly officers. The situation nearly escalated into violence in the face of the outraged crowd, but the swift intervention of the police allowed them to remove the suspects and prevent a lynching.

The suspects have been identified and suspended.

The three individuals involved have been formally identified. They are:

1. MDL KW (National Gendarmerie Intervention Brigade)
2. MDL MZM (National Gendarmerie Intervention Unit)
3. MDL MM (Squadron 4/1 of Koumassi)

Case update: The command of the Territorial Gendarmerie Legion was immediately notified of the case. The three sergeants were taken to the Abidjan police headquarters and placed at the disposal of the general investigation services. The ongoing investigations will determine precisely the responsibilities of each individual in this case, which has shocked public opinion.