Armed youths attacked a police post in Akot in Rumbek East County of Lakes State killing seven security officers, according to a state official. In a separate but reportedly related roadside ambush, another 11 people have also been killed.

State Security Advisor Marial Amoum Malek said the youth who attacked the police outpost were acting in retaliation to a previous incident in which another group of youth exchanged gunfire with a group of soldiers during a road ambush.

“What happened in Akot yesterday was a continuation of a hostile attack by the hostile armed youth. They went and attacked the police station, killing our police and soldiers who were there,” the state official said on the UN Radio Miraya.

“Four of them were killed and 3 'wounded heroes' who were also attached to the police to help them in enforcing law and protecting civilians were killed. This is what happened, a total of 7 soldiers were killed in that incident and one is injured and is in hospital.”

Referring to the earlier roadside ambush in Akot yesterday, Marial also disclosed that the death toll rose from 8 to 11. He said authorities would seize cattle belonging to local youths in order to force them to disclose who was involved in the ambush.