The authorities in Budi County in Eastern Equatoria State on Friday handed over two boys who were abducted by rustlers who stole 300 head of cattle from Kapoeta South County on 6 April.
Budi County Commissioner Akileo Mboya Peter told Radio Tamazuj over the weekend that the abducted children, Nahalek Kopii and Lokwar Lomungalem both aged 10, were recovered in Ngalan village on Thursday and handed over Friday. He said no suspects were apprehended.
“A week ago some cows were stolen and two children were abducted by Didinga criminals from Budi County. We have been tracing and seeing how best we can recover the children and fortunately, we were able to get them,” he said. “We got those children from the community and on Friday the Budi County authorities officially handed the two children to the authorities in Kapoeta South.”
“However, arresting the culprits is another thing altogether because we were following where the children were,” Mboya added.
Meanwhile, Juma Justine, the acting commissioner of Kapoeta South County confirmed they received the two children.
“These children are from Kapoeta South County and they were abducted by the Ngalan community of Budi County when they stole cattle. The children have been in captivity for over eight days and it is today (Friday) that they were handed over to us through the coordination of the Budi County commissioner,” he said. “Since they have returned to our community, this is a very joyous day. We appeal to partners to support the two counties so that we can have peace meetings to ensure that our people coexist and live in peace.”
For his part, Charles Okullu, a civil society activist, commended the Budi County authorities for demonstrating leadership and recovering the abducted children. He however said the abductors should have been arrested.
“The Budi County authorities demonstrated leadership in ensuring that the abducted children were traced and reunited with their families,” he said. “However, from whom did you get the children? If it was from the criminals, then they should have arrested them. This issue of giving room for perpetrators to just go free encourages criminality.”