Lakes state: Five killed, dozens injured in Cueibet county crossfire

May 3, 2013 (RUMBEK) – Five people were killed and dozens wounded after suspected cattle raiders attacked a village in Lakes state’s Cueibet County, officials said Friday.

Isaac Mayom Malek, the County Commissioner said cattle raiders from Tonj South County in neighbouring Warrap State, carried out the attack.

Also killed, he added, were 13 animals, with about 50 others seized during the attack.

Malek strongly condemned the incident, urging his Tonj South counterpart to recover the stolen animals so that they are returned to their rightful owners.

“I have asked [the] Tonj South commissioner to recover back those 50 cows with immediate [effect]. After being recovered, those cows will be sent back to Gap payam [district],” he told Sudan Tribune Friday.

The attack comes barely two months after the Commissioners Tonj East, Cueibet and Tonj South signed an inter-state peace chapter, designed to quell down insecurity across inter-state borders of Warrap, Lakes and Unity states.

“The aim [of the peace agreement] was to reduce cattle raiding activities,” Malek stressed.

Lakes state has, in recent months, initiated tough measures against cattle raiders and unlawful elements in the region.

However, since President Salva Kiir appointed a new caretaker governor in January, hundreds of youths have been arbitrarily arrested and detained over crimes linked to cattle raiding, inter-communal violence and possession of unregistered firearms.

(ST)