Lomosee was abducted on Monday along with the two humanitarian workers while en route to Logo Boma for a planned peace dialogue.
According to the Commissioner of Yei River County, Emmanuel Taban Seme, the abduction took place in the morning along the Maridi road.
In a public statement released Thursday, the commissioner revealed that the abductors also released a local government official and the driver, but initially demanded a ransom of over $16,000 for the release of the remaining captives, a demand the county authorities are unwilling to comply with.
“The paramount chief was abducted on Monday morning along Maridi road while on their way to Logo Boma for a peace dialogue. A local government official and the driver were released the same day, while the abductors demanded money for the release of the rest,” Taban said.
“As a county government, we do not have any mandate to pay ransom. We call on the abductors to stop targeting humanitarian workers who are delivering essential services to our communities,” he added.
The commissioner urged all armed groups to refrain from acts of abduction, emphasising that such actions threaten the fragile peace and the safety of citizens within the county.
Meanwhile, Mr. Lomosee confirmed his safe return, stating that he was not physically harmed but was left exhausted after being moved from one place to another without a clear sense of location.
“We left on Monday for a peace dialogue along with ONAD, a national organisation, including the Payam Director of Otogo, two other humanitarian workers, and a driver hired from Yei Town,” he said.
“The abductors later released the Payam Director and the driver, then demanded 16,000 USD for our release. Eventually, the two humanitarian workers were also released, and I remained alone in the bush until Thursday afternoon when they decided to release me,” said the chief.
Meanwhile, Modi Archangelo, Chairperson of the Civil Society Network in Yei River County, condemned the abduction and urged armed individuals to stop targeting humanitarian workers and peace actors.
He emphasised the importance of allowing civil society organisations to operate without fear to meet their goals and continue protecting vulnerable citizens.
