The incident occurred at around 2:00 a.m. in Gok-peer village, Mangol Payam, when a group of unidentified armed youth stormed a cattle byre, making off with several animals. According to Marko Garang Anyar, the Commissioner of Gogrial East County, the assailants made away with four cows and two goats before the herder tried to pursue them.
The deceased, identified as Machel Mayiik Ayuor, reportedly followed the raiders with his rifle in an attempt to recover his animals. However, he was ambushed by the fleeing attackers and fatally shot in the chest.
“He was killed while trying to pursue the raiders,” Commissioner Garang said. “The youth who took the livestock ambushed him and shot him dead. It’s an unfortunate loss.”
The commissioner said the attackers fled in the direction of Mayom County in neighbouring Unity State—a route frequently used in recent cattle raids.
Commissioner Garang expressed concern over the rising cases of cattle theft and violence in the region, particularly during what he described as the “hunger gap” months, when communities face heightened food insecurity and tensions flare.
He called on cattle owners to remain vigilant and urged community defence groups, locally known as Gel-weng or “protectors of cattle,” to enhance security in hotspot areas.
“We have already deployed Gel-weng forces to known high-risk zones, but we are urging them to increase their presence and patrols as the threat continues to grow,” Garang added.
Cattle raids and related revenge killings have become a persistent issue in Gogrial East and other parts of Warrap State, especially in areas bordering Lakes and Unity states.
The cyclical violence often escalates during times of scarcity, leaving communities on edge and livestock owners vulnerable to armed theft and deadly confrontations.
