The attack occurred as SSPDF personnel were travelling to their base in the county, allowing the youth to disarm them and escape with an undisclosed number of firearms.
Following the ambush, Warrap State Governor Magook Magook issued stern warnings to the youth, demanding the immediate return of the stolen weapons.
According to Press Secretary Makor Mangok Kuot, the governor’s ultimatum, combined with efforts by local chiefs, led to the recovery of eight weapons, which were handed over to the governor’s office on May 6, 2025.
However, five weapons remain unaccounted for, and authorities are working with local administrators to identify the perpetrators and retrieve the remaining firearms.
“The eight weapons were received through coordination with chiefs who engaged the youth,” Kuot said.
“We are now lobbying local administrators to locate the rest of the youth and recover the missing weapons,” he added.
The governor’s office has emphasised the importance of community cooperation in addressing such incidents, with chiefs playing a pivotal role in mediating between authorities and the youth.
The ambush in Tonj East is not an isolated event. Warrap State has long been a hotspot for violence, driven by a combination of intercommunal conflicts, cattle raiding, and the proliferation of small arms.
Just two months prior, in March 2025, authorities in neighbouring Twic County issued similar warnings after youth seized rifles from a military garrison in Turalei. These recurring incidents highlight the vulnerability of SSPDF forces and the challenges of maintaining law and order in a region where armed groups operate with relative impunity.
