One cattle raider was killed, a local injured, and more than 200 head of cattle raided in Jonglei State’s Duk County on Sunday.
Duk County Commissioner Peter Latjor told Radio Tamazuj Monday the attack which happened in Panyang Payam is believed to have been orchestrated by armed youths from the neighboring Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).
“There was an attack launched by criminals suspected to be from GPAA yesterday (Sunday) in Panyang Payam in Pajuet Headquarters in Panyang Payam at a cattle camp called Kuergany,” he explained. “During that fight, the attackers wounded one youth from within the cattle camp, and on the side of the attackers, one of them was killed. Most of the stolen cattle have been recovered and 200 heads of cattle have been raided.”
According to Latjor, the youth of Duk County mobilized and are currently pursuing the raiders towards GPAA.
On his part, Abraham Keleng, the GPAA Information minister, said he had no information about the raid in Duk.
He however reiterated concerns about the mobilization of the youth in Jonglei State in preparation for a retaliatory assault on GPAA territory.
“I am not aware of that But I will check on the commissioner of Gumuruk because they are the ones boarding that side with Duk County,” Keleng said.
This incident highlights the fragile security situation in the Greater Jonglei region where cattle raids have historically fueled cyclic violence.