Six traders were on Wednesday killed by an unknown group in South Sudan’s Gok State, on the border with Maridi State.

Martin Mayen Dut, chairperson of the chamber of commerce in Gok State, told Radio Tamazuj this morning that dozens of local traders who were on their way to Maridi State with cattle were attacked by gunmen.

“The attack took place at an area called Mudiriya. Those traders were moving with about 1,400 heads of cattle,” he explained.

Dut pointed out that six traders died on the spot and 12 others sustained injuries in the ambush. He disclosed that the assailants made away with the cattle.

“The wounded traders are currently receiving treatment in Maridi but I heard unconfirmed reports that some of them died. According to the affected traders, the attackers are from Western Lakes,” he said.

Dut further said no arrests have been made so far, adding that the relevant authorities are working to apprehend the perpetrators.

Cattle raids have claimed several lives since South Sudan’s independence in 2011. Cattle are a significant source of food and wealth for many communities.