An armed cattle keeper in Tonj, Warrap State | Credit | Courtesy
At least 72 people have been killed and 38 wounded in an attack on Akop Payam in Tonj North County, Warrap State, the state government said on Monday.
Warrap State caretaker Minister of Information William Wol
Mayom Bol said 50 of those killed were from the attackers’ side, while 22 were
from the affected community.
Bol accused armed elements from Mayom County in neighbouring
Unity State and sub-sections of Alabek Payam of involvement in the attack. The
allegations and casualty figures could not be independently verified.
Authorities in Unity State and Mayom County were not
immediately available for comment.
“The State Government, under the leadership of Hon. Ustaz
Angelo Ngot Mayar, the Caretaker Governor of Warrap State, strongly condemns
recent recorded incident of a coordinated attack,” Bol said in a statement
issued on Monday.
The government also reported cattle raiding at Majak-kou
cattle camp, the burning of Athieng-puol and Rual-malith markets, and the
destruction of homes in several villages in Akop Payam.
Bol linked the violence to a cycle of killings and revenge
attacks involving communities in the area. He said a separate targeted killing
in Mading-Juer on October 24 claimed eight lives, including a girl.
The government said it had directed security forces to
deploy to Akop Payam and arrange the transfer of wounded people for treatment.
“Warrap and Unity States are establishing communications to
recover the raided cattle, identify the criminals involved and bring them to
book,” Bol said.
The government urged residents to remain calm and exercise restraint. It also appealed to humanitarian partners and other well-wishers to assist affected women, children and elderly people who had been left without food, medicine and shelter.
