A 4-year-old infant was killed and three others aged five, seven, and 10 sustained gunshot wounds when unknown gunmen attacked them in Bur Payam of Eastern Equatoria State’s Torit County.
Jacob Atari Albano, Torit County Commissioner told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the children were watching a video last Thursday when they were attacked by gunmen who shot at them.
He said the late, identified as Imiji Otim, has been buried but the other three children are battling for their lives at the Torit State Hospital.
“Armed men attacked a home at around 8 pm and these four children were watching videos and shot at them. The young girl died on the spot and the others were rushed to the main hospital here in Torit,” Atari explained. “So currently one was already in serious condition until her hand was amputated yesterday, you know these children are still young.”
According to the commissioner, the attack was a revenge attack since the communities of Oronyo and neighboring Idali village of Lafon County have severed relations.
Dr. Santina Ikoki, the deputy medical director at Torit State Hospital said the three children are undergoing treatment and are stable.
“The three were having severe anemia because of the bleeding. One of them who is about 2 or 3 years old younger is shot and sustained an injury on the left hand, his hand was severely bleeding, the hand is totally broken with multiple fractures, and the other one of about 6 years old he is shot and has a broken hand but is fine he can move his hand and the third child is shot on the leg on the right foot. X-rays were done and the young one’s hand was amputated,” Dr. Ikoki said.
Mr. Kanuto Atari Inyasio, the Boma Chief of Oronyo said security agents and the area youth are investigating the matter.
He urged the state government to intervene in resolving the recurrent revenge attacks between the people of Oronyo of Torit County and Idali of Lafon County.
Meanwhile, Mengisto Ukachi Agweri the commissioner of Lafon County condemned the act and sent his condolences to the affected family saying the perpetrators must be brought to book.