68 people killed in Kapoeta cattle raid

JUBA – Authorities in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria state have said that the number of people killed during Wednesday’s cattle raid by suspected armed men from neighboring Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPPA) has increased to 68.

Yesterday, Governor Louis Lobong said that the attack, which occurred just before the noon time, resulted in the killing of 12 people and wounding of 13 others.

Lobong added that at least 15,000 cattle were stolen as a result of the raid.

“There are people who were killed in that attack and the number as I am getting from officials in Lafon and Budi counties are about 12 people. 13 people have been wounded by those attackers who happen to be known,” he said.

“Around 15,000 cattle have been stolen and the security forces have been given the orders to go after the criminals and return the cattle to their rightful owners because you cannot do away with other people’s source of food,” he added.

Kapoeta County Commissioner Emmanuel Iponi Lolimo separately said that the number of the people who were killed in the raid increased to 68 people and the number of the people wounded increased to 55.

“It’s the responsibility of the state government to coordinate so that the raided cattle are brought back to the owners and for the peace to prevail. I am calling on the Tenet and Buya to avoid collaborating with Murle people,” he is quoted by The City Review as saying.

For his part, Eastern Equatoria state information minister Patrick Oting Cyprian confirmed and condemned the attack and expressed regret over the lives lost as the country struggles for peace.

“What heard happened in Kapoeta North is sad and we as the government of Eastern Equatoria State condemned it in the strongest term possible and we urge our communities to avoid involving in cattle raids and people should stop raiding,” he is quoted as saying.

“We are in the modem world we should raze traditional thoughts out. What happened in Kapoeta north was heavy raiding and the loss of lives in the big number from both sides of Toposa and the Murle,” Oting added.