At least 11 people were killed in attacks on three villages along the border of Gogrial West and East counties in South Sudan's Warrap state, government officials said.

Gogrial East commissioner Wol Anei Anei said a militia from Aguok section in Gogrial West County reportedly carried out a retaliatory attack on Ajogo, Panachier, and Abior villages.

Deputy head of the state parliamentary committee for information Ariech Mayar Ariec warned that 16 people who were in a cattle camp at Abior during the attack remained missing. He did not rule out the possibility that women and children were among the victims.

Wol said he ordered "urgent steps" for police forces, vigilantes, and other law enforcement agencies to help authorities recover stolen cows and restore order.

Gogrial West county commissioner Makuc Aru Luac confirmed the incident but declined to give a death toll. He said Warrap officials are extremely worried the violence could escalate and spread to neigbouring communities.

“This senseless attack and killing must stop now. We asked our people on both sides to stop. War is doing us nothing good apart from destroying social fabrics and connections,” Makuc said.

He added that the Gogrial counties are suffering from a lack of security personnel.

Photo: Cows, Warrap state (Creative Commons License/Flickr/hypermobility)