Nine cattle traders killed in Mogiri attack on Juba-Bor Highway

At least nine livestock traders were killed, 14 others were injured and about 600 cattle were ambushed in an attack by armed assailants on a cattle camp in the town of Mogiri along the Juba-Bor highway, authorities said Wednesday morning.

Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) Information Minister Oleyo Akwer Nyalus told Radio Tamazuj that the attackers, dressed in military and other uniforms, were heavily armed and fled south with the raided livestock.

“This morning at 2am, our traders stationed in Mogiri, having arrived there from Pibor a few days ago and waiting to go to Juba to sell their cattle, were attacked,” he said. “9 of them were killed and 14 were injured, while 600 cattle were taken away towards Mangalla. The injured were taken to Juba where they are currently being treated.”

He condemned the attack on “innocent traders” who were going about their business and said the matter was being investigated.

“We wonder why men in uniforms of the army, police, National Security Service (NSS) and prison would launch an attack on traders near a military post without the intervention of the army,” Oleyo pondered.

The minister, who also serves as the mouthpiece of the GPAA government, called on those involved to desist from carrying out such repeated attacks and allow free trade and commerce along the highway.

“To this end, our Chief Administrator and Governor of Central Equatoria, Agustino Jadallah, was in Mogiri this morning to try to find a solution to this issue, he said.”

For his part, Bol Deng Bol, a civil activist in Jonglei State, also condemned the attack and demanded an immediate investigation.

“It is very unfortunate that such a situation arises when we are in a very dire situation. In my opinion, this incident is due to negligence,” he said. “We condemn such an act, express our condolences to the dead and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”

The activist said it is the government’s job to protect citizens and their property and challenged authorities to justify why attacks along the Juba-Bor Highway and other routes across the country are becoming commonplace.