Republic of Congo police seize explosive materials

Republic of Congo police announced on Monday they had seized explosive materials that could have been used for terrorist acts in some public places in the country's two main cities, Brazzaville and Pointe Noire.

The seizure was done during a search conducted recently at the home of a leader of a gang dubbed "Spiders," which has been terrorizing people on the outskirts of the capital city, Brazzaville, National Police Spokesman Gilles Moukala Tsoumou said during a press conference in Brazzaville.

"These youths who are obviously working for some evil forces, were planing to bomb some public places starting with service stations," Tsoumou said.

Investigations launched by the police further revealed that the gang had networks in Pointe Noire, the commercial capital, where youths were arrested while in possession of dangerous weapons.

Tsoumou said necessary measures had been taken by authorities to dismantle all dangerous networks and to identify their leaders.

"We shall take all measures to guarantee peace and security for all," he said, while also urging members of the public to help identify such criminals.

Asked whether the gang had been motivated by political reasons, the police spokesman said ongoing investigations will help to unravel the real reasons for this action which he termed as a terrorist act.