At least nine cattle traders were killed, 14 others injured and about 600 head of cattle raided in an attack by armed assailants on a cattle camp in Mogiri Town along the Juba-Bor Highway on Wednesday morning, authorities said.
Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) Information Minister Oleyo Akwer Nyalus told Radio Tamazuj that the assailants, dressed in military and other uniforms, were heavily armed and fled southwards with the raided cattle.
“This morning at 2 a.m., our traders who are stationed at Mogiri having arrived there from Pibor a few days ago and waiting to proceed to Juba to sell their cattle, were attacked,” he said. “9 of them were killed and 14 injured while 600 were head of cattle made away with towards the direction of Mangalla. The injured were taken to Juba where they are currently being treated.”
He condemned the attack on “innocent traders” going about their business and said the matter is being investigated.
“We wonder why men in army, police, National Security Service (NSS), and prison service uniforms would launch an attack on traders near a military post without the intervention of the army,” Oleyo pondered.
The minister who also serves as the GPAA government mouthpiece, called on those involved to desist from carrying out such repeated attacks and allow free commerce and trade along the highway.
“To this effect, our chief administrator and Central Equatoria State Governor Agustino Jadallah were in Mogiri this morning to try to find a settlement to this issue, he stated.”
On his part, Bol Deng Bol, a civil society activist in Jonglei State, also condemned the attack and demanded an immediate investigation.
“It is very unfortunate that such a situation is occurring while we are in a very dire situation. In my view, this occurrence is due to negligence,” he said. “We condemn such an act and extend our condolences to those killed and wish a quick recovery to the injured.”
The activist said it is incumbent upon the government to protect civilians and their properties and challenged the authorities to justify why attacks along the Juba-Bor Highway and other routes across the country are becoming commonplace.