Local authorities in Tonj North County, Warrap State, have said they have apprehended eight youths for triggering a fight that resulted in the murder of 18 cattle traders from Unity State two weeks ago.
On 14 April, armed youths from Akop Payam of Tonj North allegedly killed 18 cattle traders from Mayom County of Unity state.
Kuol Akoon Kuol, the Tonj North County commissioner told Radio Tamazuj Monday that the incident was unfortunate and that they intervened and arrested 8 youths who triggered the fighting but that other suspects are still on the run.
“I went and spent four days in Akop. We arrested 8 suspects but others are still on the run and the government is after them. The incident happened in Akop Payam at the Apuk-Padoch cattle market. Someone went there and started a fight and one person was shot then the violence broke out,” Commissioner Kuol explained.
He said 24 people died in the ensuing clashes, including 6 youths from Apuk-Padoch, and that 7 people, including a woman, were injured and were taken to Wau hospital for treatment.
For his part, James Chuol Gatluak, the Mayom County commissioner in Unity State said out of the 15 cattle traders from his area who had gone to Akop Payam in Tonj North, only 4 managed to escape. He said of the traders who were killed were already in the market.
“There are traders from Mayom County who were killed. 15 people went to Warrap and 11 people were killed but 4 survived and they reached Mayom County,” Commissioner Gatluak said. “There were other people who were staying in Warrap and when I asked them, they told me 24 people were killed.”
He however said the security situation is now normal.