7 children abducted and over 3,000 cattle raided by Lake state gang

By Bonifacio Taban Kuich

August 21, 2010 (BENTIU) – Criminal gangs from the neighboring Lake State are suspected to have raided nine villages taking 3150 cows and abducting seven children on Thursday from Unity state, according to a southern official.

The raid began at 4pm in Pulmok – Pachar Payam in Payinjiar County – and left a cattle owner seriously wounded according to the county commisioner Col. Peter Gai Joak.

Jaok told Sudan Tribune that the incident occurred after the southern Sudanese army – former rebels who now govern the autonomous region after a 2005 peace deal – the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) mounted an operation to disarm civilians.

“It is deemed that the criminal gangs took an advantage [of] unarmed civilians in conduct[ing] the raid,” he said.

The commissioner appealed for calm as the government began to investigate the raid and how to return the stolen cattle.

He also requested that humanitarian organizations provide emergency assistance to the affected communities. He said that food, shelter and other non-food items were needed.

Unity state authorities released a statement asking the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and the Lakes state authorities to double their efforts to bring cattle raiding and kidnapping in the region to an end.

Payinjiar commissioner, Jaok, has ordered all police forces and other relevant authorities in the county to provide protect unarmed civilians and their property.

(ST)