At least 25 civilians, including seven children, were killed in a militia attack in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri province, according to a local civil society leader.
The attack took place on Wednesday in Djugu territory, Germain Nz’aba told reporters late Thursday.
Nz’aba said some victims were executed using firearms and edged weapons, underscoring the brutality of the assault.
He attributed the attack to fighters from the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO), one of the armed groups operating in the conflict-plagued region.
According to Nz’aba, the militia launched simultaneous attacks on three localities, killing residents and looting livestock belonging to villagers.
Four people were killed in Mbaa village, while seven others were slain in Dhendro village, he said. The remaining victims were reported in nearby communities.
Local media reported that many of the victims had recently returned to their homes after living in displacement camps, hoping to resume their daily lives following a period of relative calm.
Nz’aba warned that the death toll could rise and called on authorities to strengthen protection for civilians and their property.
The latest violence ends a lull that had lasted for more than two months in several villages in the region, he said.
CODECO militias have reportedly been active in parts of Ituri since 2017 and are frequently accused of attacks on civilians.
Eastern Congo has long been plagued by armed groups competing for land, resources and local influence. The conflict has created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with about seven million people displaced across the country, according to the United Nations.