Kimatong police hold suspected rustler

The police in Kimatong are holding a man over alleged cattle theft in Budi County, Eastern Equatoria State.

The suspect, Loboi Lookenyi, was arrested at Camp 15 market in possession of a cow he was trying to sell at the time of his arrest, an official said.

In addition, one of the owners of the cattle identified his cow that the 35-year-old man was trying to sell.

In February, 57 heads of cattle were stolen from Longumo village in Homiri Payam by suspected youth from Kimotong payam.

Through coordination from chiefs and community members, they were able to recover 17 cows out of the 57, said Arkanjelo Lokolimoi, chief administrator for Kimotong Payam.

The animals were recovered on March 3, 2023 in Ngarich Boma and handed over to the rightful owners on Tuesday this week.

“A committee is still going searching for the rest of the cows,” Lokolimoi told Singaita FM on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the paramount chief for Kimotong, Lino Meritula, urged the youth to refrain from cattle theft.

“I only want peace, nothing else. Let us cultivate our farms so that we can combat hunger…so that we can no longer be looking to UN for support,” he said.

This is the first incident involving raiders from another county in Budi,  according to officials.