Armed civilians on Monday killed a South Sudanese army (SSPDF) soldier travelling among passengers from Eastern Lakes to Western Lakes State, an official said.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Eastern Lakes State’s Local Government minister, Simon Tueny Mabor confirmed the incident.

“Yes, an officer from South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) was killed in Atiaba area of Eastern Bahr Naam County by some armed youth while he was travelling by car with passengers to Rumbek,” Tueny said.

“What happened was that the armed youth found these passengers on the road where the vehicle had some problems and it was from there that they started looting and killing people,” he added.

Tueny confirmed that the relevant authorities have detained one of the wounded armed youth suspected to have killed the army officer. He urged the deceased’s relatives to be calm as the suspect is tried.

The state official also appealed to authorities in the two states to collaborate in order to combat insecurity.