At least seven people, including a woman and two children have reportedly been killed in what appears to be revenge killing in Budi County, Eastern Equatoria State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday in Loryok Boma of Kimotong Payam two days after armed group killed three people at a gold mining site in Loturtur, Kapoeta South County.
According to Budi County commissioner, Mboya Akileo; the victims were killed in different incidents. “Seven people lost lives in different incidents in camp 15 boma of Budi county that is Loryok Boma. They include men and a woman,”
“…inocent civilians were going for their livelihood activities in the mining area and they felt in an ambush along the way and three got shot and died instantly and in another interval again after some hours one man also was killed then again three men were also killed while cutting Bamboos to go and sell them killed.” Mboya narrated.
The commissioner pointed the finger at Kapoeta South County youth whose three people were killed at the mining site on Monday.
“We suspected this could be the Toposa from kapoeta south because on 10th some criminals from Budi county especially around Buya area, they went and shot innocent civilians at mining site in Lowareng,” said Mboya
However, Kapoeta South County acting commissioner, Juma Justine dismissed the allegation saying they are not aware of the incidents of revenge attack.
“No one told me about this issue. I only know the three people who were killed at the mining site in my area but those killed in camp 15. I don’t know I could have got from Mboya buit he has not call me,” Justine responded.
Revenge killing, communal attack, cattle raids are common crimes among the cattle keeping communities in South Sudan and it gradually increased since violence began in December 2013; arms sparked into the hands of civilians and armed violence become rampant claiming thousand of lives within the communities.
The seven victims of this incidents include Nakai Napu, Lotee Aruon, Lopu Napua, Lokai Aduan, Kauro Lotelebengura, Lochin Lotolobong,