A Woman injured in crossfire in Rumbek Town

A woman was shot and wounded on Tuesday night during an exchange of gunfire between armed youth and patrolling security forces in Rumbek Town.

Acting Minister of Information and Communication for Lakes State, William Koji, attributed the recent sporadic shooting in Yirol East Town to armed youth who violated a strict government prohibition by carrying weapons through the urban area. “These armed youth passed through the town, which is strictly prohibited,” Koji said. “The government does not allow anyone to carry weapons and move through populated areas. This breach triggered the shooting.”

He said the armed youth were in big numbers and that was the threat to the security of the town.

“We know, these armed youth are from cattle camps and because of this passing, most the cattle camps are suited within the town but still they are not accepted to come in that group with arms which is not allowed”, he said

Koji explained that security forces opened fire to disperse the group and thwart their intentions. “The shooting was deliberate—to scatter them so their plan, whether revenge, cattle raiding inside or outside the state, could not be achieved,” he said. “Carrying weapons through town is strictly prohibited. Fortunately, there were no casualties.”

He said only one woman was injured through crossfire gun shots.

Koji further revealed that the armed youth were moving under cover of darkness. “They were traveling at midnight,” he said. “But even at that hour, this is still the town. Organized forces patrol constantly—whether it’s midnight, midday, or morning. Anyone carrying a rifle will be detected and held accountable.”He issued a stern warning to the suspects: “If they remain at large, they will be hunted down, arrested, and disarmed. The firearms they used to threaten the peace and security of the state will be confiscated, and they will face full accountability.”

Dr. Teran Madit Teran, Director of Rumbek State Hospital, confirmed that one woman was wounded by a stray bullet during the midnight crossfire.“Around midnight, amid the sporadic shooting, a gunshot casualty was rushed in—it was clearly unintentional,” Dr. Teran said. “Upon inquiry, witnesses confirmed intense gunfire between the armed criminals and organized forces conducting a disarmament operation.”

He said in this process of disarming them, they were resistant and that led to a massive exchange of heavy gunshots.

” This lady was just shot accidentally. It was not intended just only crossfire and she was brought to Rumbek State hospital and around midnight and the necessary management and treatment was done”, he said. ” She was treated and reinstated” .

She said the lady sustained some injuries that we considered as moderate and not very serious because she was shot at the back and no any kind final cord injury because she is moving because only the wounds were bleeding”.

He said she was reinstated and stabled and this morning the medical find her she was in a stable condition in Rumbek State hospital and this is the only casualty and only case that was from yesterday incident

Daniel Laat Kon, civil society organization in Lakes State confirm that there was a sporadic shooting last night in makoi residential area that has scared citizens in Rumbek town

He said the shooting lasted for more an hour plus and according to the report there was a report of influx of youth movement at night.

“It was really very unfortunate, and we are urging the government at least to make sure that if there are suspected criminals. So, instead of shooting to scared the population. It is better to crackdown because the government security forces have power to crackdown on those criminals without causing panic among the citizens”, he said

He said the civil society organization condemned the armed youth for moving with arms in the Town.

“This is one of things that should stop. Our youths should stop moving with the arms in the Town and even in the villages because now if you look into the rearmament that they have done. The youths have rearmed themselves into teeth and they always come into with firearms particularly in small towns outside Rumbek State headquarters”, he said. ” This is what we heard about the incident”.