By Yang Ater Yang
A 30-year-old breastfeeding mother has died after a passenger vehicle was attacked by unidentified assailants while travelling from Warrap State to Juba, according to police reports.
The woman left behind a 9-month-old child.
Lakes State Police spokesman Major Elijah Mabor Makuac detailed that the attack occurred around 11:53 PM on Thursday, as a vehicle travelling from Akon in Warrap State was ambushed between Malengok Payam and Pacong of Rumbek East County.
“The vehicle encountered three unidentified men—two armed and one unarmed—who opened fire as the vehicle passed by,” Makuac explained. “The mother was shot during the attack and, despite efforts to rush her to the hospital, she succumbed to her injuries.”
Police are investigating the incident in collaboration with other security agencies to identify the perpetrators and the motive behind the attack.
Civil society activist Angelina Adhel expressed alarm over the rising violence.
“People were being ambushed on the road, and properties of the people on the journey are being looted,” she said. “A lot of such activities come into my mind that why is it still existing.”
Adhel state that the governor of Lakes State has a responsibility to protect both the property and the lives of citizens.
“You need stability, and you need to protect yourself as well as others because if you just go on the road and you know many people move there including your wife, mother and brother,” she said. “You may end up killing them which is not good.”
She urged residents to focus on self-sufficiency, advocating for individuals to produce their own food instead of resorting to violence against travelers.