Rumbek North, South Sudan – May 11, 2025
According to Lakes State’s Acting Minister of Information, Hon. William Koji, the attackers are believed to have come from Mayom and Panyijiar Counties in Unity State. Among the victims were two girls and two children.
“These attackers stormed the community under the cover of darkness and indiscriminately opened fire on civilians,” Hon. Koji told the Aweil News Agency. “It was a brutal and unprovoked act.”
The wounded are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Maper, Rumbek North County. In addition to the fatalities and injuries, an unspecified number of cattle were raided from a nearby camp.
Authorities say some of the stolen cattle have been recovered, thanks to the swift response from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) stationed in the area and local leadership.
“This is very serious,” Koji emphasized. “We urge our counterparts in Unity State to act decisively against these criminal elements. We cannot pursue them across state lines, so Unity State must take responsibility.”
The attack is the latest in a series of violent raids that have rocked parts of Lakes and Warrap States. Just last week, armed youth from Unity reportedly carried out similar attacks in Gogrial East County and Yirol East County, leaving multiple casualties.
Community leaders and government officials are now calling for increased inter-state cooperation to prevent further violence and bring perpetrators to justice.
