At least 11 people, including a top-ranking army officer, were killed and 10 others injured as the security situation remains tense in Akoka County of Upper Nile State following an attack by an armed group on parts of the county.
According to local authorities and the army, the fighting started on Tuesday and went on until Wednesday.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Ajak Wer Lual, the Secretary-General of the now-defunct Central Upper Nile State, said: “The about 3,000 attackers came from the Eastern Nuer, Nasser County, and they attacked the village called Pamaikur. We do not know the motive of the attack up to now. More than ten people including an army colonel were killed, and 11 others injured.”
The official pointed out that the security remains tense in the county.
“On Thursday, the attacking forces withdrew northwards, but they are still around the bushes of Akoka. So, the situation is still tense. Those attackers who fought the local youth are heavily armed and in green military uniforms. Yesterday, five of those with serious gunshot wounds were brought to Malakal town for medication,” he added.
Chol Atem Jongeth, the state police commissioner, said the fighting was brought to a halt Thursday, but the attackers torched some villages as they left.
“There was no fighting yesterday. The attackers started leaving the eastern areas of Akoka. But as they left Thursday afternoon, they burnt the villages of Anyangnyang, Pamaikur, and Wunanei. Yesterday, we deployed forces to restore calm to the area,” he said.
For his part, Brigadier Santo Domic, the army SSPDF deputy spokesperson, confirmed the killing of their senior officer, and that an army team has been discharged to investigate the Akoka clashes.
“This army colonel is actually a member of that community. At the time, he went to Anyangnyang village where he got killed. A group of 3,000 to 4,000 white army militia attacked four villages to the east of Akoka Centre. They were moving with their women. As they moved across, they harvest the crops of the civil population and gave to their women,” he said.
He added, “Yes, the attackers are heavily armed but we do not want to accuse anyone because we are for peace. For now, what we know is that the attackers are White Army. During the attack, 10 civilians were also killed and 8 injured.”