Western Equatoria State SPLA-IO Spokesperson Maj Joseph Costa has said 10 soldiers were killed and 15 others wounded by forces loyal to SSPDF officer James Nando in Kaburi Bou Tuesday morning.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Costa said their base came under heavy attack from Monday by Gen. Nando who switched to SSPDF in 2019.
“On Monday we received information that there is deployment of SSPDF in our areas. Nando moved from Maridi to our assembly areas and when he reached Tambura and Nagero, he started killing people and burning houses,” said Costa.
“He came with full forces with three vehicles. Our forces were just waiting for the second phase so that they could go for training but the SSPDF attacks our positions daily,” he added.
Costa said those wounded were still in the forest without any treatment.
“We have clashed and 15 people are wounded, no place to take them for treatment because we are caught up with 10 people killed,” he added.
The spokesperson called for urgent investigation of the attacks by the government forces.
He said the opposition forces in Western Equatoria State were counting more than 5 attacks daily.
Meanwhile, Nagero County Commissioner Henry Bangada confirmed the killings, adding that Nando also looted one of the hospitals and killed an old man.
“It started on Monday and Nando came from Maridi and caused problems. He came through Tambura and was arresting people rampantly on the road,” said Bangada.
He said three people were still missing as the fighting continued.
“There are three youth still at large since Monday, those wounded are 15,” he said.
For his part, Gen. James Nando claimed being ambushed between Kubri Bou and Nagero County in Western Equatoria State on Monday morning.
Nando told Radio Tamazuj that he was ambushed by SPLM-IO forces.
“I was traveling to Kubri Bou when I was ambushed by SPLM-IO forces along the road,” he stated.