5 killed, 6 injured as suspected cattle herders attack village near Juba

JUBA – At least five innocent civilians have been killed and six others wounded after gunmen launched attack on a small village near the capital Juba, according to the Central Equatoria State ministry of information.

In a statement, the ministry said gunmen in plain clothes and believed to be cattle herders launched attack on Ngerjebe village of Lokiliri Payam in Juba County of Central Equatoria killing five civilians on spot and wounding six others.

“The Governor and his entire Government is deeply shocked and saddened by the brutal murder of five innocent unarmed civilians and injury of six others at Ngerjebe Boma in Lokiliri Payam of Juba County yesterday November 11, 2022. Those injured are receiving treatment at nearby health facilities,” the statement reads in part.

“The additional grave atrocities committed by the obviously ruthless and unruly herders whose illegal presence in Central Equatoria State is terrific and ugly with causing horror and panic among the agrarian communities is undermining peace and security not only of the State but of the nation at large,” it adds.

The statement condemned the attacked and issued a 72-hour ultimatum for the cattle herders to return to state of origin, or otherwise face what the statement face would be a “full force” of law from the state government.

“The State Government under the leadership of H.E. Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony strongly condemns in possible terms the provocative and horrendous killing of innocent civilians,” the statement said.

“The security organs in the State are directed to immediately track the perpetrators for apprehension to face the Law. On the same note, the Governor has issued an ultimatum of seventy-two (72) hours for the cattle herders to unconditionally leave to their areas of origin or face forceful eviction because their presence is harmful in the State,” it added.

Governor Emmanuel Adil, the statement said, yesterday constituted a facts-finding committee that has already visited the area and appealed to the citizens and communities in Central Equatoria State to be calm as the government make efforts to address the insecurity.

“In solidarity with the affected community, H.E the Governor sent a Facts Finding Committee to investigate the incident. The Committee visited the scene of the incident today and met the displaced population and further assured them of the Government’s commitment to end their plight especially the unwarranted displacement, destruction of crops and looting of their property,” the statement said.

“H.E the Governor urges the communities of the State to be calm but vigilant as the Government is taking drastic measures to salvage the situation,” it added.