Map of Nagero County, Western Equatoria State. Credit: Charles Wote/Eye Radio

Authorities in Western Equatoria State say the Payam Administrator of Duma Payam in Nagero County was abducted last week by suspected opposition forces.

The abducted official has been identified as Anthony Lino, who was allegedly taken at around 4 p.m. and remains in captivity.

Speaking to Eye Radio, the State Minister of Information, Mohammed Juma, said the administrator was abducted by individuals he identified as SPLM-IO forces operating in the area.

“In the part of Nagero, there was a little problem that resulted in the abduction of the Payam administrator and up to now, the Payam administrator is still there. Those of SPLM-IO in the bush came and took him three days back and up to now, they have not released him,” Juma said.

The minister said neither the state authorities nor the administrator’s family had received any communication from the abductors, including any demands or request for ransom.

He did not say what may have motivated the abduction or whether security forces had launched an operation to secure the administrator’s release.

The SPLM-IO had not responded to the allegations at the time of publication.