Barricade tape for crime scene (Courtesy)

Jonglei State police chief said three local youth were killed and four others were wounded while an unspecified number of raiders were gunned down during clashes between Baidit youth and the assailants on Friday.

Major General Elia Costa said gunmen allegedly from the Pibor Administrative Area attacked a cattle camp in Baidit Payam and raided an unspecified number of cattle.

General Costa said the incident prompted local vigilantes to pursue the cattle, resulting in the deadly clashes.

“We had an incident that happened here on Friday around 4 pm in a place called Baidit Payam of Bor county, a group of armed criminals came and attacked a cattle camp in Baidit and looted cattle,” Costa narrated.

“They ran away, so the youths of the area mobilized themselves and followed them and they managed to recover the cattle, but during the process three of them were killed and four were wounded.”

According to him, the fighting killed three people on the side of Baidit youth, while some of the assailants were found dead in the bushes.

“They ran away, but this (Saturday) morning, we got information that some of them were found dead in the bushes, during the exchange of the fire when recovering the cattle that is the time, they shot themselves, the number is not clear, but we will confirm it later.”

Speaking to Eye Radio on Saturday, the police chief said the wounded are currently receiving treatment at Bor Hospital.