Hundreds of families left the villages of Maikengu and Kambau on Tuesday after an attack blamed on suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) fighters, Radio Okapi reported. The villages lie more than 50 kilometres northwest of Manguredjipa, in Lubero territory, North Kivu province. Local sources said the attack happened in the Bapakombe grouping.
According to civil society groups, the attackers burned several houses, shops and pharmacies in Maikengu. A large quantity of medicine was also reportedly looted. The raid caused panic. Fearing more violence, many families fled to places they considered safer.
Bapere sector chief Kombi Nepa Nepa confirmed the attack. He said the attackers struck Maikengu early in the morning and then headed towards Babusua. He credited soldiers deployed in the area with pushing them back, limiting the damage and helping residents reach safety.
Local authorities say they have no reports of deaths so far.
It is the third attack blamed on suspected ADF fighters in Bapere sector in two weeks, Radio Okapi said. Residents are worried by the rise in insecurity. They are calling for stronger military operations to defeat the armed group for good and secure the villages.