Two people killed in Bor night shooting
April 18, 2016 (BOR) – At least two people have been confirmed dead and another person wounded following the attempted abduction organized by the elements from Murle ethnic tribe in Bor town, capital of South Sudan’s Jonglei state, officials said.
The fighting erupted at 3:00 am and lasted until 4:00 am at Thon-buor village, not far from Bor, when the attackers killed one person and went away with two children from the same mother.
The commissioner of Bor county, Mamer Ruuk, who explained the incident to media representatives in Bor on Monday said the attack came as a surprise.
“Today at night, at 3:15 am, a number of Murle raiders came and attacked the village, they went away with two children and they killed the uncle of the children,” said commissioner Ruuk.
The SPLA, police youth and organized forces laid an ambush and rescued children after exchanging bullets with the attackers, at about 4:00 am.
“Good enough the youth managed to lay a long-long ambush with the SPLA. When they [attackers] were trying to cross the road to the eastern side, they fell into ambush, the two children [were] rescued,” explained the commissioner.
According to him, two attackers, identified to be from Murle ethnic tribe were killed. Sudan Tribune, in an independent verification exercise, found one of the persons who was believed to be from Murle.
“We have now hundred percent evidence; two from the raiders side are killed, they were killed on the spot in the area where the battle took place,” he added.
The person killed was an uncle to the abducted children, who was identified by the name Madit Ayuen Kur from Anyidi Payam.
On 16 April, two separate attacks occurred in Bor county. In Jalle Payam, the Murle raiders attacked Jalle Payam headquarters, and made away with number of goats and five cows, but were later on recovered.
“The youth of the area, SPLA and organized forces pursue them and returned 200 from the hands of the raiders but five cows were still missing. Four people were wounded on our side in Jalle Payam,” he said.
“On the same day, Nyinmajok village in Kolnyang Payam was attacked, took with them cattle and some goats and a boy child. The youth in Kolnyang payam and the SPLA in the area managed to pursue the raiders and they returned all the animals and the child. One person was injured on our side,” he continued.
Although Jonglei state has always been looking forward to having peace conference with the Murle in Boma state, according to Ruuk, “security situation in Boma is out of control as Boma state is divided politically.”
“Our people are always for peace. We are controlling our people and they always listen to us. But Boma state is under the state [of] anarchy, Murle is everything in Jonglei and even in Nuer areas. Their intention is to kill, abduct children, and raid cattle. [Their] leaders are unable to control them,” he added.
A large number of cattle that left Equartoria land for Jonglei state had arrived in Bor on 16 April, and had crossed to island in Bor.
According to the state commissioner, the government is prepared to provide protection where necessary, calling on the people to remain calm.
(ST)