Aerial view of Nimule border town | File photo.

Magwi County commissioner in Eastern Equatoria State has dismissed “baseless” allegations by a group that claimed to have seized the border town of Nimule, while urging local residents to flee in anticipation of more aggressions.

The suspicious letter was titled Joint Command Council and bears the flag of South Sudan on the top left corner, while on top right corner is a flag resembling that of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).

The online group, purportedly led by one Comrade John Aboreup Aguer, said it was fighting both President Kiir and his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar, while waring civilians in Nimule and surrounding areas to evacuate.

In response, Otto David Remson, the Commissioner of Magwi County said there was no such attack while adding that the area is free from insecurities.

“The government of Magwi County is informing the general public that there is nothing like a rebel in such name that attacked a barrack in Nimule,” Otto said.

“It is a propaganda. Magwi County communities are peace lovers and busy with farming activities and there is no way they can accept a rebel into the area.

The official warned that “those who want to be anti-peace and fulfill their own obligations in the name of Magwi County” will face consequences.

“The security organ of Magwi will continue to guard the citizens and shall continue to deal with criminality that threatens to spoil peace. I want to urge businesspeople, travelers from Nimule to Juba and partners operating in Magwi that the area is very safe.”