A government official in South Sudan’s Yei River state on Monday confirmed that the state governor had issued a decision replacing the commissioner of Kangapo County who was kidnapped together with his bodyguards in December 2016.

Julius Tabule was kidnapped together with three of his bodyguards by the SPLA-IO at Bori Payam while attending Sunday services in his county.

Stephen Ladu, Minister of Information in Yei River State, told Radio Tamazuj that Governor David Lokanga Moses appointed a new commissioner in Kangapo County.

He pointed out that the governor appointed Chadrack Wudu as new commissioner of Kangapo County, replacing Julius Tabule.

 “We do not have any connection with the rebels to confirm whether the former commissioner Julius Tabule is alive or dead, but the new commissioner has been appointed to replace Tabule,” said Ladu.

Meanwhile, Luka Yombe, Kajo-keji County Commissioner, confirmed the appointment of the new Commissioner of Kangapo County Chadrack Wudu.

Luka pointed out that the newly appointed commissioner hails from Bori Payam, but he has not yet arrived in his county.

Earlier this year, Gen. John Jok, commander of the SPLA-IO faction in Central Equatoria State confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that they were still holding the former commissioner of Kangapo Julius Tabule.

“The kidnapped commissioner is here with us, we will not kill him, because he is our son, we in the SPLA IO, we capture people but we don’t kill them,” said Jok.

File photo: David Lokonga Moses (Radio Tamazuj)