At least three people were killed and two others wounded during a cattle raid in Awerial County of Lakes State over the weekend, local officials said.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, the chief inspector of police in Awerial County, Bol Tier, said the attackers who killed three people and wounded two others are suspected to be from Yirol West County.
“It was on Saturday 13 March when the armed youth from Atuot community of Yirol County came in and attempted to raid cows in a place called Mat-bar cattle camp. They were intercepted by the cattle owners resulting in clashes. Three people were killed and two wounded from among the Aliap cattle owners and no cows were taken by the raiders,” said Tier.
The executive director of Yirol West County, Dhuor Apiu, admitted that the cattle raiders were from his county.
“Yes, I heard the report of an attack by Atuot armed raiders in Mat-bar cattle camp which left three dead and some wounded from the Aliap community, but there were no cattle taken in that attempt,” Apiu said.
He said the new commissioner of Yirol West County will soon be sworn in and insecurity will cease in the county. “We are waiting for the new county commissioner to be sworn in. Everything will soon improve once he assumes office,” he added.
However, the executive director of Awerial County, Alfred Adut Mayen, accused the Atuot community of carrying out frequent attacks and raids against the community of the Aliap.
“This is not the first time for Atuot community are doing this, it is the sixth time they have carried out deadly attacks against the Aliap community,” Adut said.