At least 16 people were killed after armed youths attacked an artisanal gold mining area in Ngauro, Budi County, Eastern Equatoria State, officials and civil society leaders said.
The violence followed the arrest of a suspected member of a bodaboda-linked criminal gang on December 26 in Ngauro town, part of the Lopit mining area.
Eastern Equatoria State Information Minister Elia John Ahaji told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that a group linked to the suspect later stormed a local detention facility, demanding his immediate release. When police asked for time to complete investigations, the group became violent and opened fire, he said.
“One member of the group was killed during an exchange of gunfire with security forces,” Ahaji said. The remaining assailants fled toward the Lopua mining area, where they attacked civilians working in small-scale gold mining.
Ahaji said 16 people — men and women from different communities — were killed in the attack. Several others remain missing, with search efforts continuing in nearby areas.
“We condemn the killing of innocent civilians who were trying to earn a living,” Ahaji said, adding that local authorities and surrounding communities are assisting in recovery operations.
Police Commissioner Gen. Lazarous Wani Tranquilo confirmed the incident but said the exact number of casualties had not yet been fully verified.
“Some people fled, others were injured, and a number were initially reported missing,” Tranquilo said. “Some have since returned, while others are still being identified.”
Civil society leaders called for an independent and thorough investigation.
Lokang Augustine Koito, a member of the Eastern Equatoria Civil Society Network and interim chairperson of the Didinga community, urged the government to address the root causes of the violence.
“This incident reflects a serious security failure,” Koito said. “The government must conduct a credible investigation to ensure accountability and prevent further loss of life.”