Three health workers contracted by ACROSS who were abducted by SPLA-IO during a clash along the Yei-Lasu road more than a weeks ago have been released on Sunday.
The three abductees were health officials based in Lasu refugee settlement camp.
William Ogara, one of the abductees told Radio Tamazuj that all of them were keep safe and set free after thorough consultation and communication with UNHCR and ACROSS.
William thanked God for having kept him alive after the shootout incident. “We were given fair treatment, there was no torture, they wanted us to be okay before hand over. I am very happy because there was no bullet on my body though there was heavy shooting at the time of the incident,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wai Godwil Bizi, the SPLA-IO military spokesman in the Equatoria region told Radio Tamazuj that the handover is a signal that the IO as a conventional and professional army have the obligation to protect citizens.
“Arrangements have been in place and we have successfully handed over the three people have already been handed over to ACROSS. We protected them and today we have handed over three of them and they are safe as they are leaving our area of control,” he said.
In a related move, Wai claimed they have also freed 176 civilians who were detained by Kiir’s SPLA forces in Lasu, Ombaci, and Pakula and Kagelu areas respectively as they remained in control of those centres.
“I would like to confirm that, we have successfully managed to release 176 civilians including top community leaders who were detained by Kiir’s forces based on ethnic accusations that they were supporting rebel movements in the rural areas. As I talk now we have taken control of Lasu, Libogo, Kagelu, Pakula and many other areas in the Equatoria region.”
File photo: Villagers on a remote road in Lasu Payam