A police officer has been killed in a road ambush by armed assailants in Jonglei State’s Duk County while escorting a team of health workers tasked with responding to a cholera outbreak in a remote part of the county.
The killing of Lieutenant Bul Chol Akueth occurred on the outskirts of Duk Padiet Town on Thursday.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, John Chatim, the Duk county commissioner, condemned the attack.
“On Thursday, a group of health workers left the county headquarters for Duk Padiet Payam to collect some medical supplies to be used to respond to a cholera outbreak in our swampy areas,” he said. “On their return, they were waylaid outside Duk Padiet Payam. The policeman accompanying them to provide protection was shot dead and his gun taken.”
The county commissioner said the incident hinders efforts to respond to the outbreak.
“The police officer was killed on the spot while everyone else escaped unhurt,” he stated. “The attackers went away with medical supplies dropped by the fleeing health workers. Cholera is spreading swiftly in our swampy areas and this incident is a setback.”