A woman was killed by unidentified gunmen in Mura-Hatiha Village of Torit County in Eastern Equatoria State over the weekend.
The incident happened when four criminals suspected to be from Lalanga village stormed a clay collection area and shot Ibura Paride with four bullets killing her instantly and wounding another person.
The killing shocked residents as Mura-Hatiha has been known to be one of the peaceful villages in the restive Hiyala Payam.
Galileo Ohide, the Hiyala Payam chief told Radio Tamazuj, “Yes, it is true. The incident happened at around 5:30 pm (Friday). Women were going to bring clay to repair their homes and some people came and started shooting at them.”
He added: “One girl under the age of 20 years was killed and another was wounded. This (Saturday) morning the Monyiemiji were following the footmarks. They are now climbing the mountains between Lalanga and Mura-Hatiha but the suspects started burning the grass to hide their footmarks.”
Chief Ohide however urges the Monyiemiji of Mura-Hatiha village to stay away from revenge attacks but report to the government authorities for the law to take its course.
“I am advising the Monyiemiji that even if you go and follow the footmarks, do not take any revenge but report to the authorities,” Chief Ohide advised.
Torit County Commissioner Atari Jacob Albano confirmed the incident and said the deceased woman died on the spot while the other was wounded.
“Some suspected criminals came and shot some two women who were gathering clay to decorate their houses for Christmas. Two women were shot, one died on the spot and the other was shot in the neck,” commissioner Atari said. “First of all, we need to identify the perpetrators, which village has done that, who is behind that killing. The Government cannot take anything just like that when we do not know who has done the crime.”
He however said that according to the preliminary information through tracking the footmarks of the perpetrators, indications are that they came from Lalanga village.
“Monyiemiji were following the footmarks since morning and the footmarks happened to go to that side of Lafon County. There were some villages which previously had conflicts with Mura-Hatiha but they reconciled,” Commissioner Atari said.
Efforts to reach Lafon County authorities for comment were futile.