**Ten Civilians, Including Chief, Killed in ADF Islamist Attack in Lubero**
An attack attributed to the Ugandan rebel group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) has resulted in over ten casualties in the village of Makoko in the Lubero territory of North Kivu on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. The local civilian society, reporting this information to Actualité.cd, describes a chaotic situation in Makoko following this deadly incursion. Several civilians were killed by the ADF in Makoko, with around ten confirmed deaths. Among the victims is the Chief of the Bulengya group. They fell into an ambush set by the enemy in Luthambi. The incident occurred this morning around 10 a.m., and details on the exact toll remain unclear. Some testimonies mention the presence of Mai-Mai elements active in the region. Today, some young verandah-lists who wanted to visit the area to understand the situation better faced strong opposition from these criminals. We deplore the passivity of the loyalist army, which failed to contain the damage despite being approximately 5 km from the tragedy,” stated César Kambale Mughutha, the president of youth in Baswagha.
## Confirmation and Response
This information was confirmed by Colonel Kiwewa Mitela, the military administrator of the Lubero territory, who revealed that two civilian bodies were discovered in the locality of Muhangi after the armed men’s incursion. These bodies belong to the Chief of the Bulengya group and his secretary. The military administrator assured that soldiers have been deployed in the area to track down these rebels. “There was an ADF incursion in Makoko, a village near Muhangi in the Baswagha chieftaincy. Currently, our defense forces are working to ensure the population’s security,” he emphasized.
## Regional Impact and Concerns
The impact of this incursion was felt throughout the region, leading to the paralysis of socio-economic activities all day on Wednesday, both in Makoko and the Muhangi conurbation, according to independent sources. This situation has sparked deep concern within the local civilian society, urging military authorities to act swiftly to counter the enemy’s destabilizing efforts in this region, crucial for Butembo city’s food supply.
## Military’s Response and Call for Discretion
The army has urged the population to carefully manage alerts and avoid sharing everything on social media, as it may be infiltrated by the enemy. “For the success of operations, discretion is essential. When we disclose everything on social media, we lose the element of surprise, as everything becomes public, negatively impacting operations in our area of responsibility,” noted Lieutenant Colonel Mak Hazukay, the spokesperson for Sokola 1 Grand Nord operations.
The ADF rebel attacks have escalated in recent days in the Bapere and Baswagha conurbations, resulting in numerous human casualties and property destruction. Last month, the local civilian society reported over 50 civilians killed by the ADF rebels, underscoring the urgent need to address the security situation in the Lubero territory.
**Josué Mutanava, in Goma**