By Manas James
A Sudanese businessman was killed in a road ambush in Twic East County in Jonglei State over the weekend, local officials said.
Elijah Manyok Ayiei, Executive Director of Twic East County, said the deceased, identified as Anes Ali Babakr, was shot dead while in a cargo tractor heading for Panyagoor town on Saturday.
“On Saturday morning, a tractor carrying goods from Bor was attacked outside our county headquarters, Panyagoor. The vehicle was sprayed with bullets by assailants resulting in the death of a Sudanese trader called Anes Ali,” Manyok explained in an interview with No. 1 Citizen Newspaper yesterday.
He pointed out that the attackers also looted the cargo tractor.
“After the businessman was killed, the tractor was stopped at gunpoint. Some goods were looted while those who were in the tractor were also looted of phones and money,” he said.
He condemned the attacks on commercial trucks and innocent civilians.
The local official called for the deployment of security forces to provide security and protection, stating that the county authorities lack the capacity to beef up road security.
“Escorts for cargo trucks could be the only solution. However, here, we lack enough police forces and the police here do not have vehicles for patrols,” he lamented.