Police in Awerial and Terekeka Counties of Lakes and Central Equatoria States confirmed the killing of a Pentecostal church Bishop, Garang Aciek Ayuel, in the Ardep area by armed robbers.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, the police commissioner of Terekeka County, Major General Akol Ayuong, said the Pentecostal church Bishop was killed while he was travelling from Juba to Gulyar to celebrate Christmas.
"When the incident occurred, I managed to send the police but unfortunately we found out that he was killed and the criminals managed to escape into the bushes. There is no suspect arrested and it is difficult to trace their hideout in the bushes,” Gen. Akol said.
He said the victim was not killed in Terekeka but was killed in a road ambush in the Ardep area of Awerial County by suspected Criminals from Terekeka County.
The police inspector in Awerial County, Bol Tier, confirmed the bishop of the Pentecostal church was a son of the Aliap community and he was going to celebrate Christmas with his family and fellow Christians.
Bol Tier said they contacted the police commissioner of Terekeka County to confirm the whereabouts of the suspects but they said the killers managed to run into the bushes.
He said the deceased was buried in Mingkaman.
"Christmas celebrations are going on well in Gulyar, Awerial, and Mingkaman. Nothing bad happened. It is a peaceful Christmas inside the town since last night up until now," according to Bol Tier.