Local authorities in Kapoeta North County in Eastern Equatoria State have accused Murle youth of abducting four Juveniles from Wokobo Payam last week.
Last Tuesday, suspected Murle youth entered Kanyeuekoel village and abducted two girls identified as Lonok Lokanyium Lopeyok, 7, and Napok Lokanyium Lopeyok, 5, and a boy identified as Lojore Lokanyium Lopeyok, 3. A fourth child, Nateam Lokanyium Lopeyok, managed to escape from his abductors.
According to county officials, the three abducted children and one recovered child are sons and daughters of one Lokanyium Lopeyok.
Ephone Emmanuel Lolimo, the commissioner of Kapoeta North County told Radio Tamazuj Monday that the suspected armed Murle youth abducted the four children at 3 pm last Tuesday.
“On 18 October at a church in a place called Kanyeuekoel in Wokobo Payam, four children were abducted by criminals came and in the process, the older one escaped,” he said. “Our fingers are pointing at the Murle. We have already dispatched the youth and they are following them.”
Meanwhile, David Nayi, the Eastern Equatoria State youth leader who also hails from Kapoeta North County, said they are saddened by the incident and urged the Murle youth to desist from abducting children.
“We have been telling our brothers that it is not good to steal a human being. When you just kidnap someone, it brings pain to those who raise him, so we want them to stop,” he said. “The government should set bylaws to stop abductions and anybody found abducting someone’s child should be charged.
Attempts to reach Joseph Lilimoi, the Greater Pibor Administration Area (GPAA) information minister for comment were unsuccessful.