Lakes state ambush claims two senior officials

May 23, 2015 (RUMBEK) – At least two top officials in South Sudan’s Lakes state were killed on Friday at the border between Rumbek North county and Unity state.

The two were identified as Abraham Maloth Marrier, the commissioner of Rumbek North county and Elizabeth Poth Dumic, a state advisor.

Lakes state information and communication minister, Dhieu Wal Takping told reporters that the two officials were killed in Nyal territory located within Rumbek North county.

“We have received the body of commissioner Abraham Marier, but the body of advisor is not yet found till now,” said Takping.

“We suspect the ambush was laid by rebels under the command of Khamis Abdulatif,” he added.

An eye witness said the commissioner was escorting pro-government forces heading to encounter the armed opposition troops in Pinyjair county.

The unknown attackers reportedly also killed six of the commissioner’s bodyguards.

The late Marier was appointed Rumbek North county commissioner in October 2014.

(ST)