Troops of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) on Wednesday foiled an attack by a suspected local armed group in Kibumba, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The regional force added that the gunmen “obviously intended to commit atrocities in Kibumba”, in Nyiragongo territory, North Kivu in eastern DRC.

Since the attack, EACRF said patrols in the area have been stepped up to prevent any further threats, so that the local population can go about their business normally.

It was not immediately established which armed group launched the attack in Kibumba. Several armed groups operate in North Kivu, including local and foreign groups. According to UN figures, more than 100 groups are active in eastern DR Congo, with intense activity in North Kivu, Ituri and South Kivu.

Lt Col Kaiko Ndjike, the spokesperson for the Congolese army in North Kivu, said that the country’s force “remains in the posture of strict observance of the ceasefire and has no ambition to violate the agreements of the heads of state”.