At least 52 people have been killed in an attack by the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO) militia in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to local reports on Tuesday.
The attack occurred late on Monday night in three localities in the Dguju region of the Ituri province, with CODECO militants launching assaults on civilians. Local civil society sources reported that 52 people were killed, while eight others were injured, and 30 houses were set ablaze during the overnight raid. Some reports suggest that the death toll may be as high as 80 people.
CODECO, an armed group primarily composed of Lendu tribe members, claims to defend their people against the rival Hema tribe. The militia has been responsible for numerous attacks in eastern Congo since 2014, killing hundreds of civilians.
This latest attack comes amid ongoing violence in the region, where North Kivu province has seen nearly 3,000 deaths since late January due to renewed fighting between M23 rebels and Congolese forces. The M23 group has claimed control of Goma, the provincial capital, and declared their own administration over the city.