Three police officers and a community chief were killed in an attack at a post in Nyolo along the Juba-Nimule highway on Sunday, the National Police Service has announced.

Police Spokesperson Daniel Justin says the unidentified gunmen shot the three policemen dead and tried to hijack a police car.

“They shot dead three of them and they ran,” Brig Justin told Eye Radio.

Other members of the unit responded and chased the attackers. The gunmen ran to Nelo village, where they shot the chief dead, between Aru Junction and Obama village.

The bodies of the deceased have been taken to Juba.

Brig Justin added that there is normal traffic on the road despite the incident.

The Juba-Nimule highway has been experiencing insecurity in recent months, with cars being attacked by unknown gunmen.