Scores killed in fresh Lakes state attack

January 19, 2015 (RUMBEK) – At least seven people were killed on Monday following an attack in Lakes state Rumbek North county, officials said.

“Several houses were burnt to ashes by the armed attackers,” he said.

Local communities claimed those who carried out the attack were civilians from Mayendit in neighbouring Unity state.

Majak Maker Akol, one of the residents who persuade the attackers, said they killed 48 of them while seven were reportedly captured.

“We were attacked in the morning around 5am. This is the daily behavior of cattle raiding between us and Mayendit county. We repulsed the attack, killed 48 people and capture seven,” said Akol.

“We defeated them and we had to rescue our cows,” he added.

Residents, however, dismissed government claims linking the attackers to rebels.

An eyewitness said a woman was burnt in the house as many more, including a South Sudanese soldier were injured.

The state government reportedly sent reinforcements to the county.

Situation in the state worsened when a joint force of the police and military withdrew from all hotspots in the state, claiming they had no way to collect information due to community’s failure to cooperate.

(ST)