By Kidega Livingstone
A dozen civilians were shot dead, 10 others injured when unidentified armed youth in greater Pibor region attacked Ajwara Payam in Pochalla North County on Easter Sunday morning.
Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) information minister Abraham Kelang, who confirmed the gruesome incident to No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper on Tuesday, said the attackers went away with an unspecified number of cows.
“It occurred on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Some youth organized themselves and attacked a place called Ajwara Payam in Pochalla North County, which left 12 deaths, 10 injuries, and an unknown number of cattle also raided,” said Minister Kelang.
“Of the 12 deaths, 4 are women, 2 are children, and 6 are men,” he clarified.
According to him, the GPAA administration is still investigating the incident to identify the suspected armed youth behind the gruesome Sunday morning attack.
“It was not clear the whereabouts of the youth, but government officials and organized forces are carrying out an investigation to find out exactly where these youth came from within three counties of GPAA,” he noted.
However, the Pibor area government spokesperson dismissed other reports, stating that there were also scores of missing children from the same incident.
“No, it is not true! I just got the full details of the incident from the location; no children were abducted; there were only 12 people killed and 10 others injured, plus some cattle stolen; the number is unknown.” Mr. Kelang added.
He said local authorities are doing their best to get to the bottom of the matter.
“The 12 people died. It’s painful for the communities and government. The suspects must be brought to book,” Kelang expressed as he condemned the incident and empathized with the deceased families.
In late March, youths shot 15 people in Pibor, including Boma’s deputy army commander, government officials, and the county commissioner.
Officials also blamed the youths for the killing in 2023 of another county commissioner in the Pibor region and a security official.
More than 150 people were also killed earlier this year during conflicts between community members and youth in the region.