At least four people were killed and one injured in clashes between cattle raiders and armed youths in Pading County of Bieh State on Monday, a local official said.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, the county commissioner, Makuei Puok said the clashes started when armed raiders attacked local youths on patrol in Guer area on Monday morning.
“Those criminals intended to raid cows and so they met the local youths and fought. We lost one person and another was injured. From the side of the attackers, three people died,” he explained.
Puok blamed the attack on armed criminals from Boma State.
He urged Boma authorities to boost security along border areas and apprehend the criminals to avoid panic among the locals.
For his part, Boma State governor, David Yau Yau vowed to work with his counterparts in the neighboring states to end cattle raids by arraigning the culprits in court.
He blamed the attacks on groups intending to disrupt the peace among communities in the greater Jonglei region.
Cattle are a main source of wealth for many communities.
Livestock-keeping communities in South Sudan routinely engage in cattle raids, which observers say have become more deadly because pastoralists switched from using spears and arrows to guns.