The family previously held hostage in Warrap State has been rescued. (Photo: Stephen Bol).

A mother and her two children, who survived among the nine people abducted from Mayom County in Unity State last month, have been handed over by Warrap State government.

A lawmaker says a woman, her seven children and husband were moving by canoe when they were abducted by armed men suspected to be from Tonj North County.

They were taken captive along with another man, while fishing and harvesting waterlily in the Naam river on February 2^nd.

Stephen Bol Ley, an MP representing Mayom County at the national parliament says the armed bandits executed six of the hostages, sparing only the mother, her 8-month-old baby, and 14-year-old daughter.

The victims are all males, including five boys below ten years and two men, one of whom is an elderly man.

They are Tet Manykuer, Pey Mayang, and his four stepsons identified as Laat, Buoth, and twins Yak and Machot.

“It was this month that we have been searching, and we have been in touch with the authorities in Warrap. Because we have heard the news that the mother and her two children have survived. Today, we received them at Juba International Airport and they are now with me,” the lawmaker said.

Speaking to Eye Radio, Bol urged the authorities in Warrap State to arrest and hold criminal bandits accountable.

“I want to urge the authorities in Warrap to apprehend the criminals because if we just leave the criminals like that, these random killings and abductions will not stop.”

“We need to hold anybody accountable for the crimes they have committed. This is the message that I want to convey to the state governments, and by the way, this is not the first time, It is now the fifth incident.”

The government of Warrap State was not immediately available for comment.

According to a recent UNMISS report, there has been a rising trend in abduction, with 203 taken hostage by armed militia groups, and 92 subjected to conflict-related sexual violence in the last quarter of 2022.