The government in Yei River County has expressed its strong condemnation following the tragic killing of a boda-boda rider in the Sanjasiri suburb of Yei River County.
Charles Ayume, the victim, was shot dead while transporting two women to a funeral in Lasu payam. The incident, which also left a woman injured, has sparked outrage and concern within the community.
According to multiple sources, the assailants, who remain unidentified, fled with the motorcycle after the shooting. By the time national security forces arrived at the scene, the perpetrators had already escaped, making it challenging for immediate apprehension.
In response to the incident, Lt. Col. Micheal Machar, the director of civil-military relations in Greater Yei, emphasized the gravity of the situation and assured the public that all security agencies within the county were on high alert. An investigation into the matter will be initiated to bring those responsible to justice.
He stated, “We are very unfortunate, we condemn that incident in the strongest terms possible in our contention because Boda-boda is a good institution; they are helping the public in providing fast transport to their locations, and it’s a tragedy to the Boda-boda association.”
Alafi Alfred, a representative of the Boda-Boda Association, voiced the displeasure of fellow riders, highlighting that attacks on boda-boda riders have become distressingly common. “We as boda-boda riders in Yei River County are not happy with what is happening to us,” Alfred stated. “In Yei, there is no other means of public transport except the Boda-boda transport, and now if we struggle to put food on the table for our families, but all of sudden you are shot dead. What is our government doing? Those who are committing such atrocities should be brought before us because it’s not right to just look at things like that as they happen.”
Hawa Adams, an activist in Yei River County, expressed concern about the impact of these violent acts on the region’s peace and stability. She urged the government to take swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice, emphasizing that such incidents were instilling fear and disrupting the sense of security that the community had begun to enjoy.
These recent incidents follow a series of violent attacks on boda-boda riders in the county. A rider was shot dead along Yei-Lasu road in early June, and five motorbikes were burnt to ashes along the Yei Maridi road. These senseless acts are causing apprehension among residents, especially those considering returning from displacement camps.
Late Charles Ayume, the slain boda-boda rider, was remembered fondly by colleagues and relatives as a humble and hardworking young man. His untimely death has left a void in the community, and calls for justice and improved safety measures for road users have grown louder.
The government of Yei River County is now faced with the critical task of addressing the rising security concerns surrounding boda-boda riders and ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens. As investigations into these incidents continue, the community eagerly awaits a swift and just resolution that will bring peace and reassurance back to the region.