By Hou Akot Hou
A total of 14 people, including 3 women and 4 children, have been attacked and bitten by an unidentified wild animal in Malual-Awel Boma, Akooch Payam, Twich County, Warrap State.
The incident occurred on Saturday night, as the animal moved from door to door, biting the residents in the darkness.
Ngor Agoth Akec, the Police Inspector of Akooch Payam, stated that the identity of the wild animal could not be determined due to the poor visibility at night.
“The wild animal that attacked the residents at Malual-Aweil is not identified yet, as it was too dark to spot its identity properly, so it is much harder to know what it is as it bit and ran away,” Akec narrated.
The victims, including the elderly, have been transported to the Mayen-Abun MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières) hospital, where they are receiving medical care.
Akec reported that the victims sustained injuries or lesions on their faces, hands, and legs, but there have been no casualties so far.
One of the victims, Mayen Deng, recounted that the animal attempted to drag him away when it bit his toe and tried to take him, but he wailed until his wife came to his aid.
This incident follows a similar attack that occurred earlier this year in Akoch, where three children were bitten by a hippopotamus, leading to the death of one of the victims.
Authorities have warned citizens against being ignorant and not using proper protective weapons, such as pangas (machetes), at night, as these types of animal attacks can occur.
The police and local authorities are currently investigating the incident and working to identify the mysterious wild animal that carried out the attacks.
They have urged residents to be cautious and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.