Eastern Equatoria Governor, Luis Lobong Lojore, has urged SPLA soldiers and security forces in the state to respect and protect civilians.

Governor Lobong is touring Budi County to address the issue of rampant insecurity there after three civilians were killed in Chukudum earlier this week.

Speaking to the residents of the town where the killing took place, Mr. Lobong, said the news about the insecurity in the area was exaggerated.

He appealed for calm and promised to restore stability in the whole County.

“There was an exaggeration of insecurity in the whole of the town that Chukudum is now under fire that the whole town was burnt and that the people had run away,” he explained.

“So my coming here is to find out what exactly happened, and appeal for calm, and appeal to the people to remain in their own places.

“And again talk to the organized forces to ensure that they respect and protect the civilians, but continue patrolling and identifying the culprits.”

Budi County MP in the State Legisilative Assembly, Peter Bosco Lotyang, says more than 50 houses were burnt down when soldiers and unidentified gunmen clashed during a night patrol.

He also says big numbers of civilians were displaced from their homes.