Unknown gunmen on Thursday attacked and killed a road construction worker in Hiyala Payam of Torit County, Eastern Equatoria State.
The worker was identified as Abraham Thomas.
Galileo Ohide, the paramount chief of Hiyala Payam, told radio Tamazuj that the incident happened on the outskirt of Hiyala village when unknown gunmen opened fire at an operator of an excavator at around 4 pm.
The road construction worker was operating an excavator along the Torit -Kapoeta road when he came under attack by gunmen, the chief said.
He pointed out that the killing of the worker has caused panic and fear among road workers.
“The company went and asked the youth of Hiyala for a murram, and they were given, so in the morning, the excavator’s operator went to start his work, but unknown persons came from nowhere and shot him dead,” Chief Galileo explained.
Jacob Atari Albano, the commissioner of Torit County, confirmed the incident saying security forces were sent to the area to investigate the incident.
The local official said he had tasked the community of Haforiere to identify the suspects and called on the communities in the area to end hostilities and embrace peaceful coexistence.
Patrick Aiteng, the youth leader of Haforiere village, denied the involvement of Haforiere youth in the killing, saying the local youth are for peace.
He called on the state government and peace partners to take the tension between communities serious by conducting peace dialogues for peace to prevail.
The road construction company could not immediately be reached for comment.