Medical officer murdered in Nimule

A veteran medical doctor has been stabbed to death by unidentified persons in the outskirts of Nimule town of Eastern Equatoria State on Thursday last week, police said.

A veteran medical doctor has been stabbed to death by unidentified persons in the outskirts of Nimule town of Eastern Equatoria State on Thursday last week, police said.

The officer identified as Patrick Tongun, 75, was in charge of Mugali Primary Healthcare Center.

Tongon is said to have been killed on duty while following medical supplies for the displaced population of Mugali area.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, Major David Gasmiro, who is the Police Inspector in Nimule town, said unknown groups of criminal attacked the medical officer in Abira residential area at evening hours.

“Tongun went to give his radio for repair and after giving he went to Islak to his brother and the brother told him to sleep but he said the place is near. When he reached near the fence of POC in Abila that is where the incident occurred he was slaughtered using a knife,” Maj. David explained.

Major David believes the late medical officer was targeted by the unknown criminals.

Monday Enoka, the Commissioner of Police in Eastern Equatoria State, said no arrest has been made adding that authorities have launched investigation to bring the perpetrators to book.

He said more forces have been deployed in the surrounding to offer protection to the local community.

“We again intensify the forces there now as I talk we have the patrol forces moving in that area so that such incidences does not happened again. It was not a gun if it was a gun people could have got it and security forces who are there could have rushed to rescue him but they use the knife this is very unfortunate,” Enoka said.

“What we have done is to intensify our patrol in the outskirt of the town and we have deployed the security forces to more than 11 hot spots area to maintain law and order and to provide protection,’” he added.

For his part, Mustafa Lokuru, the Medical Director Torit State Hospital condemned the act saying targeting innocent civilians hinders service delivery.

“We do condemns such practices mostly when it targets the health personnel because we the health personnel are for all. We do serve our citizens where they are even if they are in Primary Healthcare Units or anywhere so we are ready to give necessary help and what happened in Nimule town is not acceptable,” he said.