A vehicle belonging to the governor of Eastern Equatoria State was reportedly attacked along Kapoeta-Camp 15 road on Wednesday, leaving one person dead and four others inured.
An eyewitness says they were traveling to Torit when armed men suddenly appeared from the bushes and opened fire on vehicle with 11 occupants, including the driver and a student.
One of the bullets hit a wildlife service officer identified as Michael Lobalu, 30, said Bolis Kuku, who himself got shot in the stomach.
“I was standing on the pickup, holding my gun when they started shooting at us. I fired back but later fell onto the floot of the truck only to realize that I got hit in the stomach, next to the kidney,” Kuku told Singaita FM on Thursday.
Kuku, who was among eight soldiers on the Toyota Landcruiser, claimed that the suspects are from Kimotong – an accusation this media outlet could not immediately verify.
However, the Payam Admistrator for Kimotong, Arkangelo Lokolimoe, confirmed the attack, saying:
” I am now at the crime scene and we are trying to trace the footprints of the criminals. But we are also facing difficulties because it has started raining and it is making it difficult for us to trace the footprints,” Lokolimoe stated.
The officials added that three of the injured are currently receiving treatments at thee Kapoeta Civil Hospital, while the fourth who sustained serious injuries will soon be transferred to Juba for specialized care.
Reports of road attacks continue to be reported despite deployment of joint security forces to prevent road banditry.