Tension high after Abyei police station attack

Tension remains high in Abyei town following an attack on a police station by armed youth on Monday.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday from Abyei town, area Information Minister Bulis Koach said the attack was a revenge after family members were killed by the police.

“This attack followed another one that happened on the 7th this month. There was a person who was detained at the police station in Abyei town for being suspected of committing a crime, but his armed relatives stormed the station, trying to set him free. The police clashed with them, leading to the death of a Captain called Deng Alor,” said Koach.

“After that, the security apparatus on Friday conducted a search targeting those who were involved in the attack. Eight of them were arrested but one remained at large but was later arrested on Saturday,” Koach explained.

“After this massive arrest, we went and informed the family of the late Capitan to maintain calm, and wait for the law to take its course. We have requested that a judge be brought from Juba for the trial to start,” he said.

The minister said the family of the Captain yesterday attacked the police station, killing four people.

The Information minister said the fresh attackers were still at large.

The security situation is tense and taking an ethnic dimension, he said.

Health Minister Dr Raw Manyiel Raw confirmed the death of four people, saying one person who was wounded was currently under treatment at the Abyei hospital.

“We have received four dead bodies and one wounded person. I confirm that the incident occurred at the police station but more details are with the Information Minister who is the spokesperson of the government,” said Raw.