A man was killed and another one injured, while 11 children and a woman were abducted in an attack on an island in Duk County in Jonglei State on Tuesday, a local official said.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Duk County Commissioner Peter Latjor Chuol said Tuesday’s attack occurred when an armed youth group attacked Pajing Island in Duk Padiet Payam.
“Pajing Island was attacked on Tuesday evening. A man from Uror County was killed, and another man from Duk was injured. Twelve people were also kidnapped. Of them, nine are children are from Uror County while another child and a woman are from Duk,” he explained.
The local official claimed the attack was carried out by armed youth suspected to have come from Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).
Meanwhile, James Yien Jal, a lawmaker representing Duk County in the state legislative assembly, condemned Tuesday’s attack.
“Yes, this attack occurred. Attacks have been recurring in Duk. Last week, a pregnant woman and a child were abducted in a road ambush between Duk Pagak and Patuet. They were among a group of women returning from Patuet, where they had attended a marriage event,” he said.
On his part, Abraham Kelang, the GPAA information minister, said they had no information about the attack and said the claim could be a pretext to attack GPAA.
“We are not aware of this attack. What evidence do the people of Duk have to accuse our youth? Did they arrest or kill any of the attackers? I think this is just a pretext by Dinka Bor to attack us because we received reports that they are mobilizing,” he charged.
Cattle vendettas are common in Jonglei and Greater Pibor Area, as are other clashes between rival communities. This presents a major challenge to the national government, which also faces security challenges in other parts of the country.