Two people were killed, one injured while four others are still missing after their vehicles were ambushed by armed men on Wednesday while they were traveling from Bor to Uror County in Jonglei State.
Tang Chatim, the Uror County commissioner, told Radio Tamazuj, “On Wednesday afternoon, two vehicles carrying passengers from the state capital, Bor, to Uror were attacked in the outskirts of the Gadiang area. Two people, including former health minister Riek Gai Kok’s wife, Nyawech Lam Makuei, were killed on the spot. Another person was injured while a mother with her three children are still missing.”
The county official said no arrest was made because the civilians were traveling without a security escort. He pointed out that the recurring road ambushes have wreaked havoc among the locals, warning it may lead to cyclic violence if not addressed.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack. But revenge attacks and cattle raids are common among the communities of Greater Jonglei.
Lt. Akec Mapiou, the acting state police spokesperson, confirmed the incident and said investigations are still ongoing.
“The incident happened on Gadiang road leading to Uror. Yes, the incident took place but we cannot give you the details now. Yesterday, we dispatched police to go and rescue the situation,” he said.
For his part, Bol Deng Bol, the executive director of the civil society organization, Intrepid-South Sudan, condemned the incident describing it as a threat to the ongoing peace efforts aimed at restoring peace to the troubled Jonglei.
The activist urged the government to provide security escorts to travelers.