Residents of Campinho in Rio’s Zona Norte once again registered fierce gun battles in the area, the target of a dispute between drug traffickers and militiamen.
A week ago, rival gangs fought to control the favelas of Fubá, Saçu, and Caixa D’água.
In Morro do Fubá, the shooting began at 8 pm on Thursday (6).
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A resident reported that grenades were thrown in addition to shots from large caliber weapons.
“Once again, the residents of Campinho are facing a night of war. Those who are at home cannot go to the market, and those on the street cannot come home from work,” reported another.
“Every night, it’s like this. A lot of shootings. A lot of shooting. More than an hour of shooting. We can’t take it anymore. Campinho residents are asking for peace,” reported another.
According to military police, the conflict in Campinho began in Morro do Dezoito, Água Santa, and spread to the municipalities of Fubá, Saçu, and Caixa D’água.
During the week of September 19-23, the clashes intensified. That Monday (19), criminals even entered the old courthouse.
More clashes between rival armed groups were reported on the afternoon of Tuesday (20) and the morning of Wednesday (21).
In the late morning of Sep. 21, children were taken to safety in a room at the Pastoral do Menor to escape one of the clashes.
On Thursday (22), military police operated in the poor neighborhoods of Campinho and Água Santa to contain the clashes.
On Sep. 30, the shootings returned.
People at a bus stop fled outside a supermarket, and the parish of Nossa Senhora da Conceição even canceled evening mass for security reasons.