A Pentecostal pastor is currently recovering from injuries after he was beaten by a gang of men in his church in Aweil town of Aweil State on Wednesday last week.
Malong Baak Malong, the pastor of Al-Geneina Pentecostal Church, told Radio Tamazuj that he was assaulted by a criminal group who prevented worshipers from conducting New Year's prayers.
“When I came to prepare for the prayers, I found a criminal group in the church compound holding harmful tools like pangas. The group started attacking me after I advised them to respect the church,” he said.
The religious leader further said he has suffered a "significant facial injury" after being attacked by the criminal group in the church.
Malong complained that the police took several hours to reach the scene.
Police authorities in the area could not immediately be reached for comment.
Citizens in Aweil town have been complaining about insecurity caused by a local group known as "niggers" – a term in South Sudan used to denote urban gang members.
In March 2019, President Salva Kiir Mayardit threatened all local criminal gangs in Aweil state to stop committing crimes or face dire consequences.