Five people killed in Jonglei cattle raid

February 2, 2015 (JUBA) – At least five people were killed and seven others wounded when unknown gunmen attacked a village in South Sudan’s Jonglei state on Sunday, officials said.

The attack occurred at Jalle payam (district) in Jonglei’s Bor county.

Kuol Bol Ayom, a lawmaker for Jalle county in the state assembly, said the raiders took thousands of cattle, forcing locals to flee.

“A number of armed people came and stormed Jalle center and the areas within the vicinity of Jalle Payam,” Bol told Sudan Tribune by phone from Bor town.

“These attackers opened fire randomly killing five people including two women and three men. The attackers burnt the houses, the burnt the village and Jalle centre,” he added.

A similar attack in Jalle in December 2012 left over 50 people dead.

However, Bol says the government has ignored calls for security to be boosted in the area.

“These are people who have persevered, endured everything and they are there with their cattle and children,” he said.

“These are the people who deserve security,” he added.

A contingent of army and police units, officials said, was dispatched to the area on Monday to help rescue some of the stolen animals as investigations got underway.

(ST)