Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Suspected militants kill 16 civilians in east DR Congo

Suspected CODECO militants killed at least 16 civilians over the weekend in eastern DR Congo’s troubled Ituri province, local sources said Monday.

The attack occurred early Sunday afternoon in Djugu territory, according to Charite Banza, a civil society leader in the area.

He added that CODECO fighters torched houses in three separate villages and killed 16 people, noting that the death toll was provisional.

READ MORE: Mali’s Junta Leader Pardons Detained Ivorian Soldiers

A humanitarian worker in the area, who declined to be named, also said 16 bodies had been discovered in the wake of the attack.

However, the Congolese army spokesman in Ituri, Lieutenant Jules Ngongo, said four civilians had been killed in Sunday’s clashes, as well as one soldier and two militants.

AFP was unable to independently confirm the death toll.

Local human rights activist Desire Mbutchu told AFP that CODECO fighters launched the attack on the rival Zaire militia on Sunday allegedly in revenge for the killing of a teacher from the Lendu community.

The Lendu and Hema communities have a long-standing feud that led to thousands of deaths between 1999 and 2003 before an intervention by a European peacekeeping force.

Hot this week

Nigeria to Boost Lagos-Kaduna Freight Rail to Full Capacity by Q2 2025

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is ramping up freight...

Ghana Targets Payroll Corruption With Probe Into 81,000 ‘Ghost Names

Ghana’s government has launched an investigation into 81,000 suspected...

Nigeria Halts Implementation of 4% FOB Charge to Refine Customs Framework

The Nigerian government has suspended the implementation of a...

How Nigeria Spends ₦407 Billion on Fuel Imports in 12 Days

Nigeria's state-owned oil firm, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company...

Cyberbullying and Cyberstalking: A New Craze for Muffling Expressions on Social Media in Nigeria

In the digital age, social media has emerged as...

Jimoh Moshood Appointed Lagos Police Chief Amid Rising Security Concerns

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has appointed Moshood Jimoh...

JAMB Warns Universities Against Fake A’Level Admissions, Threatens Sanctions

Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued...

South Africa Weighs Nuclear Bids from Russia and Iran, Risking U.S. Fallout

South Africa is considering bids from Russia and Iran...

NDLEA Cracks Down on Trans-Border Drug Cartel, Seizes 190,960 Tramadol Pills

Nigeria’s anti-drug agency has dismantled a major trans-border drug...

WAEC 2024 Results: 67.55% of Private Candidates Secure Five Credits or More

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the...

Tinubu Blocks AU Proposal to Split Political Affairs and Security Department

President Bola Tinubu has rejected a proposal to divide...

Dangote Group to Invest $400M in Ethiopia Cement Expansion Amid Market Growth

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is doubling down on...

Djibouti’s Youssouf Secures AU Commission Chair, Pledges Security and Unity

Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has emerged as...

Related Articles

Popular Categories