South Sudan’s national security committee headed by President Salva Kiir has condemned the killing of civilians in an attack by gunmen in Jonglei state over the weekend.

At least 33 people were killed and 28 others injured by criminals believed to be from the Murle community of Boma state. During the armed attack, about four children were reported abducted and hundreds of heads of cattle were stolen.

The spokesperson in the office of the First Vice President Taban Deng Gai, Choul Laam confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that a security committee meeting convened yesterday in Juba was chaired by President Kiir and his two deputies including the ministers of defense and interior.

Laam further said the committee called on Boma Governor Ismael Konyi to quickly return to his state and work to return the stolen cattle and abducted children as well as bring the culprits to book.

He pointed out that the committee appealed to aid agencies to quickly respond to the needs of the people of Jonglei who affected by the attack.