A section of the Lirya road in Eastern Equatoria State. Courtesy photo.

Authorities in Eastern Equatoria State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area say they are still tracking two children who were abducted along the Lirya road last week.

The children, identified as 4-year-old Stella Dominic and 2-year-old Alfred Dominic, were reportedly abducted on 20th May at around 6pm from a vehicle travelling from Juba to Kapoeta, according to the family.

Speaking to Eye Radio this morning, the children’s mother, Viola Osman, said she continues to receive updates from security personnel in Lirya, although the children have not yet been found.

“Lirya people are the ones calling us. They took information, papers, and pictures to NGOs. My last call with them was two days ago and they said they are still investigating the case and that we should be patient,” Viola said.

A National Security officer from the Lirya Sector, Tom Longisa Atim, said search teams tracked the suspected abductors through several areas up to near Pibor but were unable to locate the children.

“We followed from the middle of Khor Engliz and Jebel Gutun where the children were kidnapped. We followed into the forest up to a place between Lirya and Talakun called Gambela. We crossed the Talakun road going toward the Pibor side, but we did not find the children. We informed people, and the father shared the children’s pictures in Torit and Juba so that people can help search and also share them with Pibor,” the officer said.

Meanwhile, the Information Minister of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, Jacob Werchum, says authorities have launched investigations and instructed security forces and community leaders along the border to monitor movements in efforts to trace the children.

“We have already informed our forces at the border, including chiefs, especially in the bomas bordering Eastern Equatoria, to send youth to monitor movements and investigate whether there are people coming from outside.

“This is part of our effort to establish whether the children were abducted by Murle. We also request the government of Eastern Equatoria to strengthen security because there were already concerns about armed groups operating in those areas,” Minister Werchum said.

The incident has raised concern over insecurity along the roads connecting Eastern Equatoria and neighbouring areas, as joint search efforts continue to locate the children and identify those responsible.