Africa-Press – South-Sudan. At least 68 were confirmed dead and 55 injured in a cattle raid in Kapoeta North County of Eastern Equatoria State on Wednesday.
The suspected armed youth believed to have crossed from a neighbouring state raided about 15,000 cattle from the area, the authorities have said.
Kapoeta North County Commissioner, Emmanuel Iponi Lolimo told City Review said the attack occured when most people were in the farm.
The attack took place at a cattle camp in Lokoromoi village.
Lomlimo said 10 people were killed and scores injured.
The death toll later rose to 68 people dead after 58 other succumbed to injuries.
The commissioner called on the state government to address the issue and ensure that the looted cattle were returned to the rightful owners.
Also, he urged the two communities from the area to stop “coordinated cattle raiding” against the Toposa community.
According to Lolimo, the raiding was jointly carried out by two communities within the area alongside a group of Murle armed youth.
“It’s the responsibility of the state government to coordinate so that the raided cattle are brought back to the owners and for the peace to prevail. I am calling on the Tenet and Buya to avoid collaborating with Murle people.”
The state minister of information, Patrick Oting Cyprian has condemned the criminal act of cattle raiding in Kapoeta North County.
“What heard happened in Kapoeta North is sad and we as the government of Eastern Equatoria State condemned it in the strongest term possible and we urge our communities to avoid involving in cattle raids and people should stop raiding,” he said.
“We are in the modem world we should raze traditional thoughts out. What happened in Kapoeta north was heavy raiding and the loss of lives in the big number from both sides of Toposa and the Murle,” Oting added.
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