By Gladys Kole
Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) has condemned the killing of 7 people in Imehejek payam of Lafon County of Eastern Equatoria State.
On 29 April, a group of armed men placed logs on the roads to attack two cars belonging to NCA which were returning peace delegates from Imehejek payam of Lafon County.
According to NCA, the armed men placed logs on the road to stop the vehicles before spraying them with bullets, killing eight delegates from a peace dialogue.
One gunman and at least seven people from Lacharok Village of Lafon County were shot dead in the incident on what appeared to be a revenge attack, the officials said.
Norwegian Church Aid which facilitated the community peace dialogue came out to condemn the act.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with families and friends of those who were tragically killed while on mission of peace,” NCA statement seen by this outlet partly read.
“South Sudanese population is suffering when aid workers are attacked because the country is in dire need of humanitarian assistance” said NCA in its statement.
On a related incident, Lafon County Commissioner, Mangisto Ukachi said six farmers were also attacked and killed by armed assailants in Lacharok village on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Eastern Equatoria State Minister of Information Oting Patrick Cyprian confirmed the incident and said police officers were sent to control the security situation.
The minister said the incident appeared to be a retaliation attack, pointing out that the security situation was tense following the incident.