According to authorities, the attack occurred around 7:30 p.m. when heavily armed assailants stormed the busy market, opened fire indiscriminately, and caused panic among herders and traders before escaping with the livestock.
Jacob Werchum Juok, the Minister of Information in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), said the attackers targeted cattle traders from the area who had temporarily set up camp in Mogiri.
“At around 7:30 p.m. local time, armed youth stormed the camp where cattle traders from GPAA were temporarily selling their cattle. The incident led to the killing of eight traders, the wounding of eight others, and the looting of 3,350 cattle. This happened in Mogiri Payam, Central Equatoria State,” Werchum said.
The identities of the attackers remain unknown, but Werchum said reports from the ground suggest they may have come from the Mangala area, where they were seen heading with the stolen cattle.
“The attackers have not yet been identified, but according to reports, they moved the cattle toward Mangala. Traders believe the assailants came from there and are currently pursuing them,” he added.
Werchum noted that the Central Equatoria State government had previously agreed to protect traders operating in the area. He questioned how such a deadly incident could take place despite those arrangements.
“Last year, there was an agreement with the Central Equatoria authorities to ensure the safety of traders from GPAA. They even designated specific areas for selling cattle. We are now trying to understand why such an attack occurred in a government-identified location that falls under Central Equatoria’s jurisdiction,” Werchum said.
He condemned the attack and urged the national government to ensure the perpetrators are held accountable.
Meanwhile, Jacob Aligo, the Central Equatoria State Minister of Information, said the state government has dispatched a team to investigate the incident.
“We have sent an investigation team to Mogiri Payam. Once they return, I will issue an official statement,” Aligo said.
The Mogiri Cattle Trading Centre is a key economic hub attracting herders from Central and Eastern Equatoria. The latest attack has raised fears of disrupted trade and increased tensions between neighbouring communities.
