Eight government soldiers were killed when armed youth attacked them in Ngap County of Gok State last month, an official disclosed.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, the state Information minister, John Madhol Panther said a unit of government forces tasked to recover stolen cattle was attacked by armed civilians at Gulek area on 31 August.

"The forces came from Rumbek to disarm the civilians and retrieve the cows, but unfortunately they were ambushed by Ngap citizens on the 31 August," he explained.

 Eight soldiers and two civilians were killed during clashes, he said.

The official accused Ngap residents of refusing to cooperate with the military in the campaign to recover stolen cows. He urged local chiefs to help arrest the criminals to face justice.