Armed conflict first appeared in Djugu in December 2017, resulting in the displacement of 20,000 people.

[7] In 2021, during an ongoing insurgency by Islamist rebels, Djugu fell into a humanitarian crisis.

Since November 2021, rebels have attacked several separate IDP sites, including Drodro, a camp for internally displaced people,[8][9] resulting in heavy casualties.

[10] In March 2023, CODECO abducted and killed 17 people who were driving on a road in Djugu.

[12] On February 14th 2024, CODECO killed at least 12 people, and kidnapped another 16 near a gold mine in Djugu.