At least one person was killed and two others are reported missing following an alleged attack by pastoralists in Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria State on Tuesday, authorities said.
The incident reportedly happened in a place called Bilinyang in Mugali Payam when the cattle herders raided the area in the evening hours.
According to Major David Khasmiro, the police’s chief inspector in Nimule Municipal Council, the attackers abducted 15 people but later released 10 of them. He said two women were later found during a search by authorities but that two others are still missing.
“The cattle herders said some rustlers came and clashed with them but there is no clear information,” Maj. Khasmiro explained. “The cattle keepers came to these people and interrogated them to tell them where the cattle rustlers are. They arrested 15 people yesterday (Tuesday) at around 6:00 pm.”
“The 10 people who escaped were taken to hospital and later reunited with their people in Nzara,” he added.
For his part, Alira William, the head chief in Nimule Payam, confirmed the incident and said a man identified as Andruga Joseph was shot and his body thrown into the Achwa River.
“One person among those who were abducted is dead. We got his body in the waters of Achwa. I am now heading to Nimule hospital for postmortem,” Chief Alira said.
He said two of the abductees are still missing.
The Jieng community youth leader in the Madi corridor, Joseph Anyuat was not immediately available for comment when contacted on the telephone.