JUBA — Local authorities of the oil-rich region of South Sudan’s Unity State said on Wednesday that eight people are being held captive by unknown gunmen in Jonglei State.
Gatwech Bipal Both, the Unity State Minister of Information, told Sudans Post on Wednesday that individuals from Unity State were abducted on their way to Juba by unknown assailants in Jonglei State.
The boat carrying 27 individuals, which included 7 students, 3 children, 4 boat drivers, a pregnant woman, and 12 livestock traders, as well as 62 cows and one he-goat, was ambushed at 6:30 pm while en route to Juba.
“The passengers safely arrived between Lake and Jonglei State territory at Jeriwach. At 6:30 PM South Sudanese local time, criminals appeared and randomly opened fire on a boat where 27 people and 62 cows were,” Gatwech said.
Gatwech said a Unity State authority preliminary investigation revealed that one person was killed on the spot, eleven went to Bor town, 7 returned to Panyinjiar, and 8 people are still being held hostage by armed men.
“Some traders ran in disarray in all directions for their dear lives into the great swarm of the country,” he lamented.
He stated that the woman in her third trimester gave birth and is still undergoing severe treatment from anti-peace groups.
“The Unity State Leadership confirmed that 1 person died on the spot, 11 people went to Bor Town, 7 citizens returned to Panyinjiar, and 8 innocent civilians are currently under captivity of criminals’ belief to have come from Yirol East County of Lake State, plus 62 cows.”
The authorities of Unity State condemned the crime committed against the law-abiding citizens of the state, he said.
“The Government of Unity State conveyed a heartfelt condolences message to the family for the soul’s loss at Jeriwach,” he said.
“The two commissioners of Panyinjiar and Yirol East Counties are directed to coordinate for the releases of those individuals.”
He encouraged families of those who have lost loved ones to stay calm and avoid taking retaliatory actions.
“Let the laws take their course without impedance, and revenge tendencies ought not to be practiced,” he said.
He urged South Sudanese communities to foster unity, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence to support peace in the country.
However, the Jonglei state minister of information has not yet commented on the issue.
