Two headteachers were reportedly shot dead by cattle raiders along the Tsertenya-Ikotos road, in Eastern Equatoria State’s Ikotos County on Sunday, local officials said.
The two were identified as Daniel Lodwa Lomiyang, the headteacher of Lohila Primary School, and Joseph Nimeri, the headteacher of Lotuhoyaha Primary School.
The raiders are also said to have looted properties at a wildlife barracks in Longole and torched houses in Iyak village.
“It was yesterday that the incident happened on Tsertenya road. I think the mobilized raiders came intending to raid cattle in Iteuso, but they did not find the cattle,” Joseph Loholong Jenisio, the commissioner of Ikotos County explained.
“Unfortunately, the head teacher of Lohila Primary School and another teacher from Lofusa and some two civilians were trying to come to Ikotos at around 4 PM and they fell in an ambush. The headteacher tried to ask them who they were and they shot him. The other teacher tried to escape and was shot dead. But the two civilians escaped and reached Lohila,” he added.
Commissioner Loholong claimed the attack was organized as the number of raiders was high.
“This is a mobilized raid, the raiders were many. They even attacked the barracks of the wildlife forces and stole property there. When they arrived at Iyak, they burned all the houses,” he added.
According to Loholong, the raiders came from the Greater Kideopo to avenge past raids and deaths.
He expressed dismay saying the communities in the region have attended several conferences to enhance peaceful coexistence but it has borne no fruit.
The headteacher of Ikwoto Secondary School Ohisa Abraham expressed disappointment over the murder of his colleagues saying such acts aggravate the already volatile environment teachers operate in.
Last week, education authorities in Ikotos County announced that schools there may face closure as some SSPDF elements have been targeting teachers following the death of a soldier. One teacher was arrested in connection to the murder, while others have fled the area or are living in fear.
Ohisa called on the state government to quickly intervene and restore peace in the county.
“This is not good, we need the state government to come here and establish what is causing all of these. If it is about cattle, we need to know. If educated people are not needed here it should be known because this can lead to the closure of some schools,” he stated.
Oboya Henry the deputy director for education in Ikotos County said: “We need a quick intervention to rescue the situation of teachers. Even learners are affected if their teachers are not there. How will the pupils learn with a lot of interferences.”