A section of Mapel area in Jur River County. Photo credit: Curtesy

Two security personnel have been killed after armed youth attacked a cattle camp in Jur River County of Western Bahr el Ghazal State, according to authorities.

Lieutenant Colonel Santino Udhol, the police spokesperson for Western Bahr el Ghazal State, said the attack happened at around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday near a police station in the Achong-chong area of Marial Bai Payam.

Lieutenant Colonel Udhol said those killed were a Wildlife Service sergeant and a member of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces who were on duty at the time of the attack.

“Immediately after the attack, the South Sudan National Police Service, in collaboration with the SSPDF and other sister security agencies, deployed forces to the area to pursue the attackers, restore security and prevent any further violence. The security situation is currently under control and security deployment remains in place,” he said.

He said the attackers also raided 21 head of cattle before fleeing the area.

According to Udhol, the attackers are believed to have come from Wun Tim village in Gogrial East County of neighbouring Warrap State.

He said the police, the SSPDF, and other security agencies have deployed forces to pursue the attackers, restore security in the area, and prevent further violence.

Udhol added that the security situation is now under control, with security personnel remaining on the ground.

The police have also appealed to the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and cooperate with security agencies by providing any information that could help identify and arrest those responsible.