Former SSPDF Chief of Defense Force Lt. Gen. Gabriel Jok Riak. | Photo: Courtesy.

The former chief of the South Sudan People’s Defense Force Lt. Gen. Gabriel Jok Riak survived a road ambush in Jonglei State on Monday, Bilpam said in a statement.

SSPDF Spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang said the veteran commander was traveling to Juba from Bor – when armed bandits opened fire on his vehicles.

Lul said General Jok’s bodyguards returned fire, forcing the highway robbers to retreat.

“This brief statement serves to inform ranks and file of SSPDF and public at large that, Gen. Gabriel Jok Riak, former SSPDF Chief Defense Forces is “safe and sound” after surviving road ambush laid by local highway robbers,” Lul said.

The army spokesperson said the National Security Service intervened and arrested four people – two from the crime scene and two more from Kolnyang village.

“The four suspects are currently detained at Bor Police Station. More information will be revealed upon completion of thorough investigation,” he said further.