By Godfrey Olukya
ARU, Democratic Republic of Congo (AA) - At least 50 people have been killed during attacks in three villages in northern Democratic Republic of Congo, a security official and local leaders said Friday.
Young armed men began attacking the villages in North Bahema chiefdom, Djungu territory in Ituri province on Thursday, said Lieutenant Thomas Lohose, a security officer in the area.
The attacks which continued on Friday saw the mob setting houses on fire.
"In the first attack they killed 30 people. Today they killed another 20," Lohose told Anadolu Agency.
Pilo Mulindo, chief of the North Bahema chiefdom, said the men first attacked Maze village and were thwarted by policemen. They returned again, fought the policemen and began a killing rampage.
Attacks by militiamen and armed groups on civilians have been on the rise ever since President Joseph Kabila refused to step down even after his term in office expired on Dec. 19, 2016.