Fresh cattle raiding alleged to have been conducted by Youth from Unity state in lakes state has left four people dead with five other people injured.
Speaking to media, William Koji the Acting Minister of Information in Lakes state confirmed the attack.
The Minister however pointed fingers on youth from Unity State and Panyijar County in particular.
Efforts to reach the authorities in Unity state to comment on the alleged attacks were not necessary.
Koji confirmed that the attackers raided 280 heads of cattle from lakes state residents.
“The number of armed criminals that attacked Yirol East was big where they also overran the organised forces there and they killed up to 5 people, injured other 5 and they took 280 cows,” he said.
In separate attacked the Minister revealed residents reported the same armed youth raided 95 cows from cattle traders who were coming from Rumbek North County to Rumbek town.
He called on Unity State government to expedite the search for the criminals and return raided cattle, recounting that the continued killing of innocent civilians may jeopardize the peaceful co-existence between our communities.
The Minister reaffirmed the state government commitment to ensure that all sort of crimes are handed.
“Lakes State government has controlled such criminal activities for the last 4 years and we can’t allow our people for revenge or even for cattle thefts.” He said
Daniel Laat Kon, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) coordinator in Lakes State, condemned the attacks, describing them as unfortunate and noting reports of Panyijar armed youth heading toward Rumbek North County.
“The government must deploy more forces to protect civilians,” Kon said. “Communities along the borders should strengthen their security.”
He urged Unity State to intervene to prevent further deterioration of relations between communities in Panyijar, Mayiandit, Rumbek North, Rumbek Central, and Yirol East.