By Manas James Okony
Two women were abducted by armed assailants while gathering firewood on the outskirts of Walgak town in Jonglei State’s Akobo County, On Sunday.
According to Akobo County commissioner, Puok Nyang Tutjiek, the two women, who are both in their thirties, remain missing after an unsuccessful rescue mission by the youth.
“On Sunday, two women were attacked and taken hostage while collecting firewood in the bush. Their children were at home and not with them during the incident,” he explained.
Commissioner Puok alleged that armed youth suspected to be from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) were responsible for the abduction.
He stated, “Our youth pursued the attackers in an attempt to recover the kidnapped women, but unfortunately, they were unsuccessful as the assailants fled towards Pibor.”
In response to the rising insecurity in the area, the commissioner condemned the abduction and called for intervention from the GPAA authorities.
“We condemn these repeated incidents of insecurity and urge our counterparts in the GPAA to take action,” he emphasized.
He also highlighted a recent attack in Akobo town, where a family was assaulted, resulting in the deaths of an elderly man, his granddaughter, and a woman.
However, the GPAA local government minister, Peter Ajany Kaimoi stated that they were not aware of the recent abductions.
“We are currently unaware of these attacks that led to deaths and abductions. Our area is grappling with a cholera outbreak, and there are concerns about imminent attacks from Nuer youth, which may explain why our youth have not mobilized resources to retaliate,” he said. “That being said, it’s possible that two or three criminals managed to cross into the area, which we cannot condone.”
Cattle raiding is a frequent occurrence in Jonglei State and the GPAA, often resulting in the killing and abduction of women and children.
Despite various attempts over the years to break the vicious cycle of inter-communal violence, these efforts have largely been in vain.
The abduction of women while carrying out daily tasks underscores the urgent need for improved security measures in rural areas and highlights the complex tribal dynamics contributing to ongoing violence.