Wagner Group mercenaries abducted three merchants, Adam Ibrahim, Ibrahim Assilik, and Aroun Abdoulaye, in Ndachima. These three young merchants were taken into custody by the group during the operation. The abduction took place around 1:00 AM during the night between Wednesday, 21 October 2026, and Thursday, 22 October 2026. The timing of the incident occurred in the early morning hours at the site. After being held for two days, the three men were transferred to the gendarmerie in Bambari on the afternoon of Friday, 23 October 2026. The transfer followed the two-day detention period experienced by the merchants.
Location and Regional Context
Ndachima is situated in the Ouaka prefecture of the Central African Republic. The site lies approximately 60 kilometers from Bambari. This geographical proximity links the mining area to the larger administrative center where local authorities operate. The distance between the two locations defines the transit corridor used for the transfer of detainees between these points. Regional transport routes connect the Ouaka prefecture to the gendarmerie facilities located in Bambari. The location serves as a central point for mining activities within the Ouaka prefecture, and the 60-kilometer distance to Bambari characterizes the logistical path for moving individuals between the site and the gendarmerie.
History of Security Incidents
Wagner mercenaries and Central African soldiers conducted a joint operation in Ndachima on 25 April 2024. This action resulted in the mass arrest of young people residing in the area. The operation involved the coordinated movement of both Wagner Group personnel and Central African soldiers within the locality.
Violence occurred at the Ndachima mining site on 20 July 2025 when gunfire killed at least ten people. Witnesses and local accounts attributed the shooting to Wagner mercenaries operating at the location. The events of that day marked a significant security incident at the mining site, resulting in the loss of at least ten lives due to the gunfire reported at the location.
A construction vehicle operated by a Russian worker struck and killed a young man named Alex Mandazou at the Ndachima mining site on 16 August 2025. Following the collision, local reports documented the death of the individual at the site. The incident involved the operation of heavy machinery by the Russian worker, which resulted in the fatality of Alex Mandazou while he was present at the Ndachima mining site. Documentation of the death followed the immediate aftermath of the collision involving the construction vehicle. These historical security incidents in Ndachima reflect a pattern of activity involving Wagner mercenaries, Central African soldiers, and Russian workers within the mining site over the period from April 2024 through August 2025.
