At least seven people were reported killed and several houses burnt to ashes on Wednesday in Mapel area in Wau State when government forces clashed with opposition fighters.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, several local residents accused government troops of targeting the locals and burning several houses to ashes.
For his part, Abraham Cirilo, a member of parliament in Wau State, denied the claim, saying the seven people were killed by an armed group that attack the area.
“The government clashed with an armed group in Mapel at around 5 pm, so after a while some criminals also took advantage of the clash and went to the civilians starting burning their house and seven civilians were killed during the incident,” said Abraham.
Random shooting in Wau
Separately, citizens in Wau town reported that there was a random shooting that lasted a few hours on Wednesday night in Masna Bira area south of Wau town.
But the Mayor of Wau town, Mel Aleu Goc, said the gunshots were a result of a clash between police officers and criminals.
“The criminals were trying to get into the town but they could not, so they exchanged fire with the night patrol around Masna. I suspect they are part of the rebels,”said Aleu.