A lawmaker has called on authorities in Eastern Equatoria State and the national government to hold accountable armed men who attacked and killed seven peace delegates in Lafon County over the weekend.

Another member sustained a gunshot wound.

Hon. James Angelo Ayonyang, a member of the state parliament representing Lafon County, said the incident occurred on Saturday in Dorok Payam.

The lawmaker said the perpetrated are suspected to have come from the Nacharuck area.

He said the victims are all men aged 35 to 65 years old.

They include James Lawrence, Palmino Amugo, Lumoda Ludyok, Lobere Adlino, Lino Adiza, Orobuk Marco, and Lolia James Rimo.

The eight men including a police officer and their driver were returning from Imejejek Payam where they went to make peace between two communities – when they fell into the deadly ambush.

“I want to take this opportunity actually to condemn the unfortunate incident which we did not even expect,” he said.

Lawmaker Angelo appealed to the state authorities to identify and arrest the criminals and that the government should deploy security to calm the situation.

“I call upon the government to actually identified the criminals and bring them to justice because we don’t want this to repeat itself again,

“Secondly, I appeal to the government to take some forces to the area so that they cool the situation,’ he added.

The state police could not be immediately reached for comment on the incident.