Authorities in Jonglei State have been urged to speed up investigations into last Friday’s killing of a fish trader in Bor County.

Dut Diing, the Chairperson of the South Sudan Fish Producers and Traders' Union, told Radio Tamazuj that the killers of Eric Yassin, 32 years-old Ugandan national were still at large.

He said the senseless act of violence threatened the livelihoods of those working in the fishing industry.

The incident has sparked outrage and grief among fish traders who have demanded the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrator.

 “We want to know what happened exactly and up to now we do not know anything about it. But we want to send a team up to Bor so that they find out what was the problem. The police must investigate more about this incident,” Dut said.

Dut appealed to the government and the security forces to ensure the safety and protection of the fish traders, who he said were facing many challenges and risks in their work.

Major. General Elia Kosta, the Jonglei State Police Commissioner, confirmed that Yassin was shot dead by an unknown gunman at midnight at the bank of the Nile River in Anyidi Payam, where he was operating his business with three other colleagues.

“There is a Ugandan man who used to buy and sell fish along the River Nile. Unknown criminals went to their place where they are staying and shot him dead,” Maj. Gen. Elia said.

He said police had launched investigations into the incident adding that no arrests had been made so far.

Maj. General Alia assured the public that the police were working hard to find the culprits.

He appealed to the fish traders to cooperate with the police and report any suspicious activities or threats to their lives and businesses.

Contacted for comment, Major General Daniel Justin, the Spokesperson of the South Sudan Nation Police Service denied knowledge of the incident.

The fish trade is a vital source of income and food security for many people in South Sudan, especially in the Nile basin regions.