The World Food Program says it is sending a plane to Ayod in Jonglei State to bring back three government officials who were detained by the SPLM in Opposition forces.

WFP spokesman George Formiyen told Eye Radio that the officials were returning to Juba on a UN helicopter yesterday when they were stopped in Jiech.

“We have received indications that these three passengers are well and unhurt and have been assured that we can pick them up today,” George Fominyen, WFP communications officer, told Eye Radio this morning.

The men were traveling to Panyagor, Twic East County.

The three men – Hon. Isaiah Chol Aruai, Chairman of National Bureau of Statistics, Mading Akueth, Lutheran World Federation staff and Jacob Aleer, World Food Program worker – were removed from the helicopter, after which the helicopter was allowed to return to Bor.

The passengers were on a regular flight.

“The passenger route was from Juba to Bor, from Bor to Mabior and then to Bor and Juba,” he added.

It’s not clear why the chopper landed in Ayod.