Authorities of Cueibet County of Lakes State confirmed that more than 10 people have been killed and 15 wounded during Thursday's intra-sectional fighting between the Ayiel and Pagok sections of the Gok community.
The fighting occurred in Ngap and Agangrial following the migration of Pagok cattle into Ayiel territory without consultation triggering the long-existing animosity which left six women killed in 2020 between the two sections of the Gok community of Cueibet County.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, the acting commissioner of Police in Cueibet County Colonel Machar Mourwel said that the cause of the fighting was due to Pagok cattle migration into Ayiel grazing land.
Colonel Machar Mourwel said four people were killed and eight others wounded from the Pagok section while six people were killed and seven others wounded from the Ayiel section. According to him, the two communities were separated when they were tried to resume fighting on Friday.
“Pagok section which migrated with their cattle into Ayiel land had evacuated Ayiel grazing land and they had moved to Pathiong land for grazing,” said Colonel Machar Mourwel.
He said many wounded people are being treated locally in the remote villages due to fear of being apprehended by the security forces.
The police officer urges the Pagok section to return to their territory for the sake of peaceful coexistence.
However, the Acting Executive Director of Cueibet County Makuac Chol also said more than 10 lives of people had been lost on both sides and tensions remained high.
Chol pointed out that there were not enough forces to separate them since fighting happened on Thursday.