Two humanitarian workers sustained injuries after a convoy belonging to The Development Initiative (TDI), a demining NGO in South Sudan’s Kapoeta state came under attack on Tuesday.
The convoy of three vehicles was heading to Buno in Losolia County from Kapoeta town before it was attacked at Nanak-nak Bridge by armed men.
A community liaison officer for TDI Mabo Alex who escaped unhurt from the incident said those injured have been referred to Juba for further medical attention.
“They injured two staff of ours and one was injured at the back. When we brought him to Kapoeta Medical Center they said the bullet is still in his body at the back and the other one was injured slightly on his head,” he said.
Alex added that the armed men appeared from nowhere and started firing at them, but noted that the armed men did not loot any of their property.
“We saw someone coming in front with a gun shooting trying to stop the first vehicle and then another man also tried to stop the next vehicle," he said.
Ahmed Alnin Bushara a member at Kapoeta state Drivers’ Union condemned the incident calling on the government to quickly secure the road.
“These are our civilians, not just every time our civilians go on the road they are shot, robbed and looted of their belongings yet the government is present. This should not happen,” he said.
For his part, Kapoeta State Police commissioner Major General Ben Bilal said no one has been arrested in connection to the ambush but stressed that investigations are ongoing.