The authorities of Warrap State said six people were killed when youths from the Noi section of Warrap Payam attacked, killed three herders, and raided 200 head of cattle from the Leer section of Rualbet Payam in Tonj North County on Tuesday.
Daniel Makol, the Tonj North County commissioner, told Radio Tamazuj Thursday that three other innocent people, including a policeman, were killed in crossfire when the cattle owners pursued, caught up, and clashed with the assailants in Warrap Town.
“Armed youth from Noi section in Warap Payam on Tuesday attacked the section of the Leer Community in Ruelbet Payam, and these payams are both for Tonj North County. The attackers from Noi got only three herders who were helpless and killed them and went away with over 200 cattle,” he explained. “The cattle owners pursued the attackers, and when they arrived in Warrap Town, they clashed. When the people who enjoy gunshots heard the shooting, they came out to watch what was happening and see who was fighting. Two civilians and a policeman who was staring were unfortunately killed.”
“The governor of Warrap State, Hon. Magok Magok, is here with us in the Tonj North County headquarters, Warrap Town, and security forces have been tasked to apprehend the culprits and recover the raided cattle because we cannot allow criminals,” Commissioner Makol added.
For his part, Warrap State Information Minister James Ayiek Bath confirmed the incident and said the local government is working to recover the raided cattle.
“Yes, there was a communal fight between the Noi and the Leer sections. As I speak, the governor is here in the Tonj North County headquarters because of the matter,” he said. “We have requested the SSPDF, police, and other organized forces to recover the cattle and return them to the rightful owners.”
“The cattle will be recovered because the governor ordered chiefs of the Noi section to identify the culprits and convince them to return the raided cattle to owners or the government,” Minister Ayiek added.