At least three people were killed, two others injured, and more than 2,000 head of cattle raided in an attack by cattle raiders in Uror County in Jonglei State on Tuesday, local officials said.

Wany Bum, a lawmaker representing Uror County in the state legislative assembly, told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday that five other herdsmen went missing following the attack on Tuesday.

“It was yesterday (Tuesday) at around 12 pm, when a group of armed youth from the Greater Pibor Administrative Areas (GPAA) attacked Partet Payam, killing three people, two were injured, and five others are stilling missing,” he said.

The lawmaker pointed out that the attackers made away with more than 2,000 head of cattle and that local youth had since Tuesday pursued them in a bid to recover the stolen animals.  

  Meanwhile, Mahammoud Chuol, the director general at the state information ministry, also confirmed Tuesday’s attack and the assailants were still being pursued in a bid to recover the raided animals. 

For his part, Abraham Kelang, the GPAA information minister, said they were unaware of the attack and urged the Jonglei State authorities to abide by a resolution reached during a recent retreat in Pibor by sharing their reports on any cattle raids.

Cattle raids are common among the communities in the Greater Jonglei state. Several attempts to make peace and stop cattle rustling have borne no fruit.