Police said two cattle traders were killed in Lopa/Lafon County of South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State on Tuesday last week.
The traders were reportedly moving from Juba via Mangala and Lopa/Lafon County to buy cattle.
Major Justin Kleopus, the state police spokesperson, told Radio Tamazuj on Saturday that Mr. Sivio Okwoch, the chief of Longiro Payam, is suspected to have carried out the killing after he went missing following the incident.
“The chief killed Malok Nhial, 29 and Makuei Aguer, 30. These people had money, but it disappeared. The police tried to take a force to the scene, but the chief disappeared,” said Kleopus.
He added, “According to the reports we received, their bodies remained where they were killed, and we have forwarded the case to the police commissioner. The issue is now being discussed at the level of the state.”
Kleopus urged the locals to allow traders to conduct their activities freely.
Severino Maira Janus, a lawmaker representing Lopa/Lafon County in the state assembly, said the action will be taken if the incident is confirmed.
“I heard about it, but there is no evidence yet. We need people on the ground to give us full information with evidence. If it happened, then the government should get those people on the ground to hold them accountable,” said Maira.
In 2017, five cattle traders were killed in a similar attack in the area.