Scores dead as militia group attack DR Congo

Over twenty people, including a child and three women, have been confirmed dead after militiamen laid siege on a village in the northeastern Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), authorities said on Saturday.

A local administration official, Innocent Madukadala, revealed that the gruesome killing took place in Banyali Kilo sector of Djugu territory on Friday night.

He said the attackers were from the Cooperative for the Development of DR Congo (CODECO) militia.

"Armed assailants raided the village at about 9 p.m. local time (1900GMT). A total of 23 people were killed on the spot and 12 others were injured, one of whom died at hospital," said Madukadala.

"A child, three women, and 20 men were killed in the attack," Madukadala added, confirmed the number of casualties as 24.

He said the assailants took advantage of the absence of government forces, who were deployed to the area a few hours later.

Source: Anadolu Agency