Western Equatoria State’s Nagero County Commissioner Henry Bangada Assaya has said he was on the run following an attack on his house on Monday night by alleged South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday from an undisclosed location, Assaya said he was surprised by the attack minutes after the presidential decree read out on the state-run television SSBC on Monday night, removing the Western Equatoria State Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba.
He said he was not in his house when the decree went on air and that it had nothing to do with him.
Assaya explained that he was interacting with some of his colleagues when they suddenly heard gunshot sounds and when he rushed to his house, he met the army personnel who pursued him as he fled.
“I was not aware of the sacking of Alfred Futuyo Karaba at around 8pm. I was with my colleagues away from home when we suddenly heard the gunshots at the side the Governor’s residence,” said Assaya.
“I tried to return but before I reached home, I founded a heavy army presence at my residence and I decided to flee,” he added.
“They attacked my house yesterday at around 8pm and also that of the Governor,” Assaya claimed.
Assaya said he did not know the Governor’s whereabouts following the attack since both of them fled for their safety.
He said the army had continued the search for him Tuesday morning and he could not return home, pointing out that they had destroyed his fence and took away his belongings, including a motorbike.
The Commissioner called on President Salva Kiir and his First Deputy, Dr. Riek Machar, to address the violence in Western Equatoria.
Radio Tamazuj made several calls to the State acting police commissioner and the Division Six Commander for comments, but none was successful.