From left to right: Major General Lul Ruai Koang and Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel in the past joint press briefing - File Photo - COURTESY

The spokespersons of SSPDF and SPLA-IO have traded accusations over Unity State Monday’s clashes as Governor Monytuil’s convoy came under gunfire in Rubkona County.

According to Gen Lul, the attack resulted in the killing of three soldiers and the injury of five others including two senior officers.

The convoy consisting of 30 vehicles of Governor Monytuil and senior commanders of the 4th Infantry Division of the SSPDF were ambushed in the Ngol area of Rubkona County.

Gen Lul said the attack resulted in the killing of three soldiers and injury of five others including two senior officers.

According to Lul Governor Monytuil’s convoy was on a visit to inspect a project aimed at opening feeder roads in Ngol and engaging with local communities.

“On our side three were killed in action and five were wounded, two of the wounded are senior officers; one from National Police Services and the other from other departments,” he said.

General Lul accused the SPLA-IO forces of launching the attack with the intent to assassinate the governor.

He stated that the attackers used a rocker propel garnet during the ambush, resulting in the casualties.

“The IO intended to assassinate the Governor of Unity State. You know the convoy was long and when they saw the vehicles that were guarding the two Major Generals, they thought it was maybe the main convoy.

“As a result, they fired grenade Rocket-Propelled Grenade launched, as a result, these two senior officers were wounded by shrapnel.

“It was a deliberate attack, it was an ambush to assassinate the governor of unity state and entire the leadership of third and fourth infantry division.”

For his part, the SPLA-IO spokesperson denied the allegations of the assassination attempt on the Unity State governor but blamed SSPDF for attacking their base.

Col Lam Paul alleged that the attack was part of a government-backed plan by certain generals.

“The reality is that the convoy of the governor was not attacked, they attacked our base from two different directions; one from the side of the forces led by Bridger General and the one who defected from SPLA-IO.

Peter came from Moyom and then the division commander and the governor himself went from Rubkona County of Unity and they attacked our base, not along the roadside but our base.”

Gen Lul added that the SSPDF has initiated investigations to ascertain the circumstances leading to the assault on the governor’s convoy.

Meanwhile, he said, clam has returned to the area following the attack.