A 23-year-old boy, identified only as Kizito, was shot dead by a cousin (name withheld) in Lobira Boma of Cahari Payam in Ikotos county, Eastern Equatoria State, during Boxing Day morning hours. The incident occurred near a cattle kraal where they had gone as youth to collect a bull intended as a fine for outlawed youth in the area. The suspect remains at large.
Obwaha, a relative of the deceased, explained to Radio Tamazuj, “One of our brothers got killed in Lobira, and you know some people just don’t understand. They had gone for security duty, and they came back for dancing, but the others said you cannot dance; we need to advise each other first because it is Christmas. They first have to advise you during the festive season so that you live in peace. But those who came from the bush refused the advice, so they just started going on with the dance. But in the morning, they fined each person a bull, while for others, bulls were taken. But for the suspect who killed our brother, that one is even his cousin. He has a kraal for cattle, so he warned that anyone who takes any cow fromhis kraal, he will shoot immediately. When the late just entered the kraal and came out, he was shot from the back and killed.”
Ikotos County commissioner Timon Lolori confirmed the incident but stated that he has not received a full report from the ground. He mentioned that the county celebrated Christmas peacefully without any problems.
“I think the 8 payams celebrated Christmas very well. I went all over; the information came from all sides like Ketire, Imotong, Ikwoto Payam, and all the bomas around the town, and Losite payams, Bira Payam. Nothing is happening even Corokol and Cahari. But I only heard something yesterday that happened in Lobira boma, but the exact information I did not get. Nobody has informed me, but I am only hearing from people. That people from two camps had a fight and one person was killed. This is the information I have heard, but in reality, we have not obtained any eyewitness statements nor details from persons on the ground,” Commissioner Lolori said.
Commissioner Lolori mentioned that such hearsays are not easy to investigate, but the population is preparing to celebrate the new year festival normally.
Timon Lohure, an SPLM-IO member of parliament from Ikotos County, shared his condolences with the family of the deceased. He urged the youth to refrain from misusing guns.
“To the youth and the public: guns are not meant to kill people. Christmas is a day to celebrate, not a day to drink alcohol and look for problems, taking the law into your hands by killing innocent people. If someone has done something wrong, then report it to the police. Let people learn to respect Christmas day; it is not a day of bloodshed,” the lawmaker said.
To contact Radio Tamazuj with comments, news tips or information, write to radiotamazuj@gmail.com or use the contact form.