The chairperson of the Abyei chamber of commerce has said two haulage trucks belonging to Sudanese traders and loaded with food items destined for Abyei were over the weekend looted by armed youth at Madou in Twic County, Warrap State.
Osman Chol told Radio Tamazuj that the big trucks were from Juba and transiting through Warrap State’s Twic County where they were pillaged.
“On Saturday, two trucks belonging to Darfuri traders were coming from Juba via the Twic route and when they reached the area called Madou, the armed youth from Twic County looted 50 metric tons because one truck carried 25 metric tons. They did not kill the traders,” he said. “These trucks were carrying food items like maize flour, sugar, biscuits, and other light items like East African bar soaps.”
He added: “This is very bad because traders are the friend to everyone and have nothing to do with tribes and they were just victimized.”
Chol said he has received the report about the incident from the robbed traders on Sunday and that he would report it to the authorities on Monday as it is an issue of public concern. He added that it is not the first Twic youths are looting vehicles heading to Abyei.
Meanwhile, Joseph Taban, the Twic County executive director, confirmed the incident and said that he had ordered the security forces to hunt down the perpetrators.
“Yes, there were two vehicles looted by youth. I heard about it and we have opened a case and the security organs are looking for those who committed the looting. I also informed the chiefs to help in identifying these criminals,” he said. “It happened and nobody was killed. They only took the goods.”