Three dead, dozens wounded in Juba-Nimule road ambush

November 21, 2022 (JUBA) –Three people were killed and dozens wounded when gunmen attacked three vehicles on the Juba-Nimule highway on Monday, police said.

The incident occurred near Nesitu, a checkpoint in the outskirts of Juba town.

South Sudan Police spokesperson, Major Gen. Daniel Justin told Sudan Tribune that they were yet to identify those who carried out the attack on the busy highway.

“Until now, the group responsible for this unfortunate incident has yet to be identified by the security situation is under control at the moment. The movement has resumed because police forces, members of the national security services, and different units of the army have been deployed and have secured the area. There is no problem”, he said.

Multiple eyewitness said Monday’s incident involved two buses and a passenger vehicle.

The attackers, according to sources, used AK-47s rifles and machine guns in the ambush.

“I was at home when I saw a group of some armed men, coming out from a nearby tree and stopping a line of buses. I saw 6 men and I thought they were members of the escort. I only became suspicious and hid when they started shooting,” Alex Alero, an area resident told Sudan Tribune.

He said he only rushed to the crime scene after security forces had been deployed.

Garang Deng Achuoth, one of the survivors, said they were saved by the bus driver.

“It was a miracle. Our driver could not stop. He drove through while they were shooting at us. They fired at the vehicle until it overturned,” he narrated.

The Juba-Nimule highway is the only lifeline that connects South Sudan to the neighboring Uganda and Kenya for the supply of goods to South Sudan’s capital.

(ST)