One trader was killed and six others injured following an attack on them near Jabor on the Juba-Bor Highway while they were taking their livestock to Juba for sale on Tuesday morning.
About 40 other traders went missing and remain unaccounted for following the attack.
The GPAA Information minister, Oleyo Akwer Nyalus, told Radio Tamazuj that more than 300 cattle were stolen in the attack. He said the traders had left Pibor to take their livestock for sale, only to be waylaid by assailants in Central Equatoria State’s Jabor area.
“What happened on Tuesday morning was that a force of 2,000 men in green military uniforms attacked our traders at Jabor Roundabout near Juba-Bor Highway. They killed one herdsman and injured six, while the whereabouts of about 40 men remain unaccounted for. 300 cattle were raided in the attack,” Oleyo said.
He added: “Other traders with about 1,500 cattle managed to escape and they are now in Mogeri town.”
The GPAA government spokesperson condemned the attack and said investigations were underway.
“Relevant government agencies were informed by our chief administrator and they managed to rescue some of our traders,” he said.
“Up to now, we don’t know the identity of the attackers and their motive and there is an ongoing investigation. The attackers were over 2,000 and they emerged from bushes.”
Radio Tamazuj could not immediately reach Army Spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang and his Police counterpart Daniel Justin for comments.