Authorities in Yirol East County of Lakes State have reported an incident involving a wildlife officer who was shot and wounded by suspected armed youth from neighbouring Panyijar County. The attackers also looted the officer’s sack of dry fish along the road to Yirol East County.
The incident took place at 4:00 PM in Karer, near the riverside close to Shambe National Park on Monday.
The victim, James Achol Abok, recounted the ordeal to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday. He disclosed that he sustained two gunshot wounds to his right arm during the attack by armed youth from Panyijar County, Unity State. They also made off with his bag of fish.
Abok clarified, “Before they shot me and looted my bag of fish, they attacked another soldier who was travelling ahead of me, but fortunately, he was not hit by any bullets. This incident occurred at 4:00 PM while I was on my way from Karer, near the riverside close to Shambe National Park.”
Abok is currently receiving treatment at the Yirol East County Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) hospital. He mentioned that one bullet is still lodged in his arm and requires removal, while the other bullet passed through.
Dhuor Apiu, the executive director of Yirol East County, confirmed the occurrence of the incident at 4:00 PM on Monday. “Yes, we received reports that a wildlife officer travelling from Karer was shot and wounded near Yirol East County by suspected armed youth from Panyijar County,” he stated.
Attempts to contact the Panyijar County administration for comments on the incident were unsuccessful.