Private Yak killed the four over pay, army officer reveals

Private Yak Garang Yak shot dead the construction workers in Gogrial West County, Warrap State, over pay, an army officer has told TRC.

On Saturday, Yak shot dead four people, three of whom were foreign nationals from Syria and Lebanon. The fourth victim was a local identified as Deng Malong Malual, 15.

He was later captured in Aweil East County in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State and handed over to the military authorities.

The SSPDF Division III Commander, Maj.-Gen Akuei Ajou Akuei confirmed Yak’s detention. He said the 40-year-old had just been sacked when the disagreement ensued.

“Yak said he was fired from duty but the company did not pay him, and that was the cause of disagreement with the Syrian company,” Maj.-Gen Ajou told Mayardit FM on Monday.

Shortly before opening fire, police said Yak first held the men at gunpoint and collected their cellphones.

The three expats were 35-year-old Yaser Mohamed (Syrian), 29-year-old Abdu Abbass (Lebanese), and 30-year-old Jades Sali (Lebanese).

They were among seven foreign workers contracted to build alleged President Salva Kiir’s home at Ngap Aker in Akon.

It is still unclear why an active soldier worked as a driver for a private construction company.