Armed men suspected to be from Rumbek East County killed three civilians and wounded a police lance corporal in Yirol West county of Lakes State on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at 4 pm in Mabui Boma of Alualuak Payam.
The police chief inspector of Alualuak Payam, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Mayor Malaak, said those killed were identified as Ichut Kuotnyin, Makat Bang Ayual, and Mathet Dhel Kuyok, and the wounded lance corporal is Chieng Apak Makoi who is now receiving treatment at Yirol West County hospital.
Lt. Col. Malaak said Lance Corporal Chieng was wounded while he attempted to rescue the deceased from the attackers during a road ambush in Mabui Boma where the attack took place.
"There is no statement issued by the commissioner of Rumbek East County on whether the suspects who killed three civilians and wounded a police lance corporal in a road ambush have been arrested and the suspects who killed people are from Rumbek East County,” Lt. Col. Malaak said.
He urged the local community of Rumbek East County to stop killing innocent civilians who are traveling on the road.
The Payam administrator of Alualuak in Yirol West County, Daniel Ichok Dhieu, confirmed the incident and said the civilians were ambushed while returning from Mapuordit Hospital where they had dropped a pregnant mother on Tuesday.
He said two of the deceased men were bodaboda riders.
"Yes, what happened is this, the two bodaboda riders ran away when they fall in a road ambush. They went to Mapuordit to inform the police and when police came to the scene, they found all the three motorbikes were taken by the attackers,” Ichok narrated. “So, the police went after the attackers to rescue the motorbikes. The three men and a policeman were standing on the main and the criminals came and killed them and wounded the policeman and they ran away.”
He urged the relatives of the three deceased men to remain calm and not retaliate.
“I urge the authorities of Rumbek East County to apprehend all the suspects who killed the three civilians and wounded people in a road ambush on Tuesday," Ichok said.