Lunda-norte: At least 34,718 citizens of different nationalities were repatriated from January 2025 to February this year by the authorities of Lunda-Norte province for illegal entry and stay in Angolan territory.
According to Angola Press News Agency, National Police spokesperson Domingos Muanafumo addressed the media regarding ongoing operations in the province to combat illegal immigration, fuel smuggling, mining, and illicit diamond trafficking. These repatriated individuals primarily hail from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cote D'Ivoire, and Guinea.
Muanafumo noted that the largest group of repatriated immigrants are from the DRC, totaling 34,716 individuals. He further elaborated that, as part of Operation Connection, authorities seized 24,597 diamond stones of different carats due to illegal mining, possession, and trafficking. These were subsequently delivered to ENDIAMA, the trust depositary.
In addition to the diamonds, 61,436 dollars, 13 million 794 thousand kwanzas, and 200 counterfeit dollars were confiscated. The ongoing operation since 2025 also facilitated the seizure of 605 thousand liters of smuggled fuel destined for the DRC.
Muanafumo reported that authorities seized 47 vehicles, with 28 related to the fight against fuel smuggling. He emphasized the readiness of the various bodies within the Ministry of the Interior to combat economic crimes and immigration, among other issues.
