Unknown gunmen on Monday morning ambushed three passenger vehicles along the Juba-Nimule road, killing at least three people, police said.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Police Spokesperson Major General Daniel Justin said 22 others were wounded in the attack.
“The attack happened between Najarepi and Odemo villages in the area of Jebelain along the Juba-Nimule road, and there were three passenger vehicles, one owned by Golden Company, the other one was a Bongo Bus going to Nimule while the third one was a Noah car which was coming from Torit,” Daniel said.
“The vehicles fell into an ambush, and as a result, three people were shot dead, and 22 others were injured,” he added.
The police spokesman pointed out that police and military forces had been dispatched to the ground to pursue the attackers.
Daniel said some of the wounded and the dead were taken to Juba, while two Ugandan nationals who sustained injuries were transported to Uganda for treatment.
Meanwhile, Lokiliri Payam Director Michael Francis also confirmed the attack in Odemo village of Lokiliri Payam, Juba County.
“Three vehicles fell in an ambush, and the travellers lost their lives, and others sustained injuries,” he explained.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Last week, at least five people were reported killed in Lokiliri Payam. Armed pastoralists from Jonglei State were accused of involvement in the incident.
The dangerous Juba-Nimule highway is nevertheless a lifeline for South Sudan, which imports almost everything from neighbouring countries.
NOTICE OF CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated that eight people were killed in an ambush along the Juba-Nimule road. This is inaccurate. Police authorities say only three people were killed in the attack.