At least 21 South Sudanese traders were robbed of more than 100 million South Sudanese pounds, phones and merchandise in an armed ambush along the Yambio-Democratic Republic of Congo road on Tuesday evening, officials said.
The attack occurred around 5 p.m. as the traders traveled toward the Bagugu market near the Congo border. No group has claimed responsibility.
Nzara County Commissioner Linon Kuago Futaki told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the assailants, dressed in what appeared to be South Sudan People’s Defense Forces uniforms, intercepted the traders.
“They were tied, blindfolded, and their money and goods were taken,” he said. “This has caused fear and panic among the local population, and movements along the road have been halted.”
Futaki urged the SSPDF to investigate and arrest those responsible.
“The SSPDF has been deployed to track the suspects. If they are our soldiers, they must be held accountable,” he said.
Western Equatoria State Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Philip Madut Tong confirmed the attack and said an investigation was underway.
“We are gathering information to identify and apprehend those responsible,” he said. “Anyone involved in this kind of criminal activity, whether soldier or civilian, will be dealt with according to the law.”
Abdallah Paimamgi, a trader who witnessed the attack, described being stopped, restrained and robbed.
“The attackers tied our hands and covered our eyes. They fired bullets in the air, beat us and stole our money — mostly cash and cigarettes,” he said.
“We depend on cross-border trade to survive,” he added. “The government must protect us, not only charge us taxes.”