The education director of Bahr Grinti County in South Sudan’s Amadi State was on Tuesday shot and killed by unknown gunmen, a local official said.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Bahr Grinti County Commissioner Emmanuel Majok Brown said Mr Alfred Abui was killed along the road between the county headquarters and Mapordit Hospital in Yirol West.

 "The incident took place at about 9:00 pm. We lost the education official after he was shot while on his motorbike going to the hospital to receive treatment. He was shot by an armed man, but died before reaching the hospital," he said.

Majok accused youth from Eastern Lakes State of involvement in the attack.

Authorities of Eastern Lakes state could not immediately be reached for comment.

Separately, Commissioner Majok said the police rescued at least six students abducted in the area by armed men.