2 killed in Torit East cattle raid

Two people were killed during a cattle raid in the defunct Torit East County of Eastern Equatoria State over the weekend, officials say.

Two people were killed during a cattle raid in the defunct Torit East County of Eastern Equatoria State over the weekend, officials say.

About 50 cattle which were stolen in the early Saturday morning raid were recovered.

“These cows were left behind by the herder to get back to the kraal at around 9:00 pm but the raiders took them through Kapoeta highway," Nyibira Boma Chief in Hiyalla Payam John Oromo explained. " They got a spoiled vehicle guarded by soldiers who asked them in Otuho language and the raiders responded that these were their cattle they are taking to the mountain. In the process they clashed with them there so the Monyomiji realized and run after them, they found them nearly morning hours nearly 4;00am between Iloli and Lobira mountain, Monyomiji killed one of them."

Oromo added that one of the youths who recovered the cattle was later shot dead in an ambush by youths suspected to be from Calamini.

A Member of Parliament representing the area in the state assembly Ms. Grace Tobs condemned the raids and urged the communities to live peacefully.

“I condemn this and I don’t like it is very bad. Our people need to know that what they are doing is wrong as innocent people die," she lamented.

The chairperson of the Otuho peace taskforce Jacob Attari Albano also called for peace in the area.

"We don't want the peace we made to be spoiled again. Please maintain the peace so that you continue to sleep in your houses instead of sleeping in the kraal following your cows," he advised.

Torit area police spokesperson Maj. Justine Kleopus Takuru says police are aware of the incident and are investigating.