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Vehicle burnt, four rangers missing after Lantoto Park attack in Yei River County

By Lodu William Odiya

 

The Director General of South Sudan Wildlife Conservation has reported that an unknown armed group attacked its forces at Lantoto National Park in Yei River County of Central Equatorial State.

The assault resulted in one vehicle being burnt to ashes, and four wildlife rangers are currently missing.

In a statement shared with No. 1 Citizen Newspaper, Gen. Khamis Adiang said the rangers were ambushed while transporting bricks for the construction of an office inside the park. The four rangers who managed to escape the scene and others who are still at large were on their way back to headquarters when heavily armed men in full uniform, carrying machine guns and RPGs, attacked them.

“They managed to arrest some four of our rangers, keeping them until a rescue team was sent from the headquarters to investigate the security situation, leading to an exchange of fire,” Gen. Adiang stated.

He added that some of the rangers managed to escape unharmed and reported back to headquarters, but the whereabouts of the other four remain unknown.

“The vehicle that was used for transporting the bricks was burnt to ashes and we are pursuing the other four rangers alongside the abductors” Gen. Adiang added.

Lantoto National Park is a hidden gem of South Sudan’s natural heritage. Its dense rainforests, diverse wildlife, and cultural connections make it a vital area for conservation and an emerging destination for eco-tourism. Protecting Lantoto ensures the survival of its unique ecosystems and reinforces South Sudan’s role in preserving the broader Congo Basin’s biodiversity.

 

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