Map of Pibor Administrative Area. (Courtesy).

Pibor Administrative Area government said its assessment found that 15 local youths died and nine others sustained injuries during the recent cross-border violence in Gumruk County’s Nyalema and Manyabol villages.

On December 13, armed youth that Pibor suspected to be from neighboring Jonglei State were alleged to have attacked the border villages.

This came after the Special Representative of UN Secretary-General raised an alarm over youth mobilization in Jonglei during a press conference in Juba.

However, Jonglei State government has categorically stated before and after the alleged violence, that its youth neither mobilized nor crossed to Pibor.

Pibor Minister of Information Jacob Werchum told Eye Radio on December 26 that they have confirmed the casualties.

Werchum also said 12 children and women were also abducted and 15,300 people were forced to flee their homes.

“Following the deadly clashes, the Chief Administrator H.E Gola Boyoi along with the government officials and heads of organized forces were on a three–day visit to Gumuruk,” he said.

He said delegation visited the scene to get first hand information and to encourage local youth to live in peace with their neighbors.

“So, the report indicates that 15 local youths were killed, nine others were injured and 12 children including women were abducted while 15,300 more were forced to leave their homes.”

“This is the latest reports we brought from Manyabol. Actually we went up to Manyabol side where the incident occurred and we have collected this reports.”

Minister  Werchum also disclosed that calm has returned to the area and people are going about their daily businesses.

When contacted, the Commissioner of Akobo County, Puok Nyang said his local youth were never involved in mobilization or attack against their neighbors.

Puok said his administrative jurisdiction is a long way from Nyalema and Manyabol villages where the attack allegedly occurred.

“Our youths from Akob County are still here. Nobody left Akobo County to any other area and we don’t also have border with Gumuruk.”

“Akobo is bordering Likuangole and Likuangole is bordering Gumuruk and Manyabol. So, if there were youths from Akobo County, the first area they would have attacked is Likuangole.”