Map of Western Bahr El Ghazal State. | Photo: Wikipedia.

Unspecified dozens of people, including high-ranking police, army, and national security officers, were killed in a fresh attack in Jur River County of Western Bahr el Ghazal on Monday, the state government said.

The attack happened in Tharkueng Payam of Jur River County in Western Bahr el Ghazal state.

The state acting police commissioner, Major General Simon James, said shops and grass- thatched houses were also burnt to ashes in the attack at 3:00 am.

“This (Monday) morning, an attack occurred in the Tharkueng area, specifically at the Tharkueng Bridge near the police station, targeting individuals who were present to secure the police station,” he said.

General James said the violence was carried out by armed youth suspected to be from the neighboring Warrap State.

Upon visiting the scene, he told the media that the attackers targeted a police station where the government soldiers were sheltering.

“A number of officers and citizens were martyred, including Colonel Godensio Awek and his colleagues, including a first lieutenant of the military police, as well as some other officers and individuals.”

The security official said the police will make a joint redeployment of police and army with orders to carry out their duties, including protecting civilians and their properties.

“Currently, we are at the police station in Tharkueng, where these bodies will be accounted for at the incident site, and we will initiate a redeployment of security forces. Both the police and the army will be redeployed.”

The acting governor of Western Bahr El-Ghazal, Arkangelo Anyar Anyar, condemned the killing and urged the Warrap state government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Anyar described the attack as a violation of last month’s presidential order, which called on the warring communities of Warrap and WBGs to stop fighting each other and return to peace.

“The President’s order was violated twice by attacks on Western Bahr el Ghazal State, especially at Jur River County. We consider this an uncivilized approach, and therefore, as the state government, we came to assess the situation and provide correct reports.”

“At present, we are unable to count the dead and the homes that were burned due to being surrounded by masses who were displaced last night. Thus, we will endeavor to count the casualties and assess the material losses.”

The Minister of Information in Warrap state, William Wol Mayom, confirmed the attack and said 14 people are believed to have been killed on both sides.

He stated that the clashes resulted in the killing of seven people on the side of Apuk in Warrap.

“On the side of Warrap State. We just got a partial information since the clashes happened at night and people were speculating and finger-pointing, but we could not identify the exact figure,” he told Eye Radio.

“On the side of Warrap State, we have so far identified seven people. But these seven people were also identified on the side of Western Bar al gazal, all of them died on the side of western Bar al Ghazal.”

According to Mayom, the situation remains tense as authorities are working to increase the presence of security apparatus in the area.

Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal State have been experiencing recurring violence since last year, with several attacks on both sides resulting in the death of more than 100 people.