Governor Emmanuel Adil's vehicle surrounded by his bodyguards while touring Muni and Tombek payams of Terekeka County of Central Equatoria state on February 27, 2023 - Courtesy

Suspected gunmen on Thursday attacked the security convoy of the Governor of Central Equatoria State east of Juba County, an official has said.

The State’s Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement, Moro Genisio says the incident happened in Garbo east of Juba County.

He stated that unidentified gunmen opened fire at the governor’s convoy, forcing it to return to Gondokoro, but no one was hurt.

Moro says the government convoy eventually proceeded to the Mangala payam.

However, during their return from Mangala, the governor’s security guards reportedly clashed with alleged land grabbers along the Mogiri area.

He says an unspecified number of people were later arrested but it is not clear if they were involved in the land grabbing or gunfire exchange.

Moro adds that the State government will act if such practices persist.

“There was an exchange with some of the land grabbers especially along the bridge when you are going to the side of Mogiri and of course, they were resisting arrest,” Moro told Eye Radio.

“When the force that we came with tried to pursue them for more questioning, they became a little bit volatile, so there was a bit of exchange,

“I was there, and I did not see any casualties, except we left the force yesterday [Thursday, March 9, 2023] on the ground, and few people were arrested, and they will be brought for questioning,

“We were also surprised by gunshots on the right-hand side of Gabur and of course, we had to take and come back to Gondokoro before we decided to embark on the Mangala,

“What happened yesterday [Thursday, March 9, 2023] was a signal and this signal is very clear that if they persist, then very soon, we are going to come back”.