Security forces clash with armed youth in Lakes, 1 officer dead

JUBA – One South Sudanese security officer has been shot dead along with another civilian person  following clashes between security forces and armed civilians in the state’s Pagor Payam of Cueibet County in the restive Lakes.

Cueibet County Executive Director Chol Cindut said, according to Radio Tamazuj, that the clashes took place over the weekend when security forces attempted to recover cattle he said were intercepted to have been stolen between army youth of Pakam and Gok in Luony.

“When the security forces arrived there, they found four people from Pakam armed with six cows sitting together with armed youth from Pagor Payam conducting cattle exchange activities,” he said, according to Radio Tamazuj.

The senior local official further said a wildlife sergeant identified as Makol Lueth Muorwel and Thon Ayen Yuol, of the armed group, died following the exchange of fire.

“This is when they started to exchange gunfire with security forces immediately, killing one wildlife sergeant and one criminal was also killed on their side,” he said.

“The four-armed youth from Pakam of Rumbek North ran back leaving behind the six cows with security forces and those armed youth from Pagor Payam also ran astray,” he added.