Crime scene barricade tape. (Courtesy)

At least four people were killed on Saturday as armed men waylaid dozens of travelers in Akobo County of Jonglei State, a local official said.

Akobo County Commissioner Puok Nyang Tut said the attack on fifty people including traders, returnees, and students occurred in the morning hours at Pot-potni village.

Nyang said the victims were on their way from Akobo West to Akobo East when they fell into an ambush by gunmen allegedly from neighboring Pibor.

“On the evening of September 16^th, there was an attack by Murle armed youth, from Pibor Administrative Area. They attacked the traders who were traveling from Akobo West to Akobo East,” the commissioner said.

Authorities in the Greater Pibor administrative area are yet to comment on the allegations.

“These people were attacked in a place called Pot-potni between Akobo east and Akobo West. In that attack, four people were killed, there was no abduction, there were no injuries, but only four people were killed all of them men.”

The victims have not yet been identified.