A 52-year-old person with disability was shot dead at his home in Nimule Town of Magwi County in Eastern Equatoria State on Monday evening.
Okumu Musa was bathing at his home in the Hai Rey residential area of the town when unknown gunmen shot three bullets into his back.
Major David Kasmiro, the police inspector in Nimule town, confirmed to Radio Tamazuj Tuesday that Okumu was indeed gunned down and that security personnel was deployed to the crime scene to investigate the killing.
“At around 7:30 pm, we heard gunshots and this (Tuesday) morning we confirmed one person was killed. We went up to the crime scene and the person killed is a disabled person,” he said. “He had wanted to bathe and the water was just near him when he was shot three times. He is called Okumu, 52 years old. An investigation is ongoing.”
Alira William, the paramount chief of Nimule Town Council, confirmed the incident and urged security agents to patrol the town to arrest the rising insecurity. He accused cattle herders of the insecurity.
“We got information of gunshots yesterday and we confirmed that it was in Rey village and Okumu Musa was shot dead behind his tukul (hut). The situation is worsening so we need uniformed men to patrol at night,” Chief Alira said. “The incident happened between the two cattle herders’ kraals Tukene and Rey Malakia West. There is no other suspect apart from these cattle herders.”
Meanwhile, Bol Kuir Aguer, the chief of the Dinka Community in Nimule town, denied the allegation saying there is no movement of cattle herders in the area.
“We chiefs do not know who is killing and it is the responsibility of security personnel to investigate because cattle herders are now taking their cattle and will not come back again,” he said. “The few remaining are waiting for vehicles to take their cattle. We do not have people crossing here.”
Oryema Emmanuel, a civil society activist in the state, condemned the killing and called on the government to maintain security.
“We condemn the killing of the disabled person and the government should contain the insecurity in Nimule where innocent souls can be slaughtered and even police personnel killed,” he said. “Only people authorized people should carry firearms in Nimule town.”
Nimule town has witnessed several murder cases since the start of the year. The latest incident occured last week where a medical officer identified as Patrick Tongun was slaughtered near the town.