By Manas James Okony
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs in Jonglei State, Nyalele John Chuol, narrowly escaped an armed ambush while traveling along the Juba-Bor Highway on Sunday evening.
Minister Nyalele was en route to Bor for a meeting when her vehicle, displaying government registration, came under fire near Mogiri military post.
In a conversation with No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper on Monday, she recounted the harrowing details of the attack.
“I started leaving Juba for Bor on Sunday at 5:30 PM. A few minutes into our journey on the outskirts of Mogiri, we were attacked,” she said. “Three men emerged from the bush one by one and started opening fire on my car. To our right, two more armed men joined in the shooting, and three others appeared to our left. Our car didn’t stop because I asked the driver to continue driving.”
Minister Nyalele said her vehicle eventually broke down from the damage inflicted during the attack.
“I picked up my handbag, which contained my identity cards, and ran away. My driver also left everything behind, including the car keys, and we both fled,” she explained.
The armed assailants proceeded to loot the vehicle, taking all remaining personal belongings.
“Everything was looted. The only things I salvaged were my handbag and this phone I’m using to talk to you. As we were escaping, we encountered soldiers from Mogiri, who witnessed the looting by five armed men in military uniforms,” she added. “Fortunately, we were rescued by a passing car belonging to a church, which took us to the Mogiri military post.”
In the aftermath of the attack, Minister Nyalele revealed that she reported the incident to the police in Juba.
“No one knows the motive of the attack. They are still using my other phone; when calls come in, they either decline or pick up and start insulting in Arabic. I have opened a case with the Malakia Police Division, and investigations are underway,” she stated.
This attack is emblematic of the broader insecurity affecting transportation in parts of the country, where armed groups often target civilians and government officials.
The Juba-Bor Highway, a vital artery for trade and travel, has seen similar incidents in recent years, raising concerns over safety for those who traverse this route.
Recently, an attack along the Juba-Nimule Highway left a passenger dead. Last week the residence of National Fisheries and Animal Resources Minister Onyoti Adigo was stormed by armed assailants who looted valuables and fled.