Rizik Zachariah Hassan, governor of the proposed Lol State, which came under attack by gunmen on Wednesday, has arrived to Nyamelel, a village town in Aweil West area under the jurisdiction of the new state.
This comes after a short stay in Raja town following its recapture by security forces and allied JEM militants from an unidentified rebel group.
Governor Rizik and Deputy Sumeiya Adut, according to a source within his entourage, arrived to Nyamelel on Thursday evening at around 8:00 pm after departing Aweil town, the administrative headquarters of Aweil State at around 7:00 pm following his arrival from Aroyo.
He was received in Aweil town by officials, including his information minister, Francis Piol Bol Buk, who had fled Raja and walked to Nyamelel on Wednesday together with the state security advisor and several other officials accompanying those who sustained injuries in the attack.
Angok Achuol Barjok, a member of parliament from Aweil North area, confirmed the arrival of the governor from Raja through Aroyo using military vehicles passing through Deim Zubeir and Awada route to get to Aroyo on Thursday.
“They (the governor and his deputy) have come. We have just received them and escorted them to proceed to Nyamelel. They have just left. They are tired and exhausted. They need rest,” said Angok.
Angok was speaking by phone on Thurday evening.
William Wel, another member of parliament said in a separate interview that the governor was already in the area and said they were now preparing to find for them a place where they would sleep.
“They have come. They are safe. There is no problem anymore. They are in safe territory,” said Wel when reached to say what he knows about the situation of the governor and his deputy.
Several residents of Nyamelel confirmed the arrival of the governor and his deputy, saying they were asked by the authorities on Thursday evening to receive them on arrival.
There were no public statements on arrival in Aweil town and neither in Nyamelel on Thursday night.
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