At least four cattle traders were killed and another one injured in a road ambush by bandits in Uror County of Jonglei State on Tuesday, police said.
County Police Inspector Col. Maluth Mayen told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that the incident happened when a group of cattle traders were waylaid while heading to Ayod County.
“We had some cattle traders who were attacked while moving from Pathai to Pulchuol, from which they were supposed to head to Ayod County to sell cattle,” he said. “At the outskirts of Palcohol, they were attacked. Four were killed and another one injured.”
The county police inspector said the attackers, who he said came from Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) escaped to the bushes unhurt.
For his part, Gatluak Reath Wuol, a local youth leader, condemned the attack and called on the GPAA authorities to stop such recurring attacks.
“A group of cattle traders who were moving from Pathai to Pulchuol were attacked by armed Murle criminals at a place called Nyakueka. Four people, a Dinka Bor man and three Lou Nuer men, were killed… All their 164 cows plus some goats were raided,” he said. “We call on Pibor authorities to intervene. If we are for peace, then they should not attack, and if there is no peace, it must be made clear.”
Meanwhile, Abraham Kelang, the GPAA information minister, said they were not aware of the attack.
Road ambushes are commonplace in Jonglei State and the GPAA and are often accompanied by abduction, looting and killing. The practice often goes unpunished.