Authorities in Unity State confirmed Tuesday that 43 traders from Panyijiar County, previously reported missing, have been found alive, while four were killed and six remain missing following a deadly river ambush last Friday near Shambe Port in Yirol East County, Lakes State.
Unity State’s Information Minister Gatwech Bipal Both told Radio Tamazuj that the survivors were part of a group of 53 traders who had left Panyijiar County last Friday en route to Juba.
He said the journey had progressed smoothly, particularly after the group entered Lakes State, where Yirol East County authorities began escorting them. However, the situation turned tragic hours later when the traders’ boat was ambushed by an armed group near the Wangthok checkpoint.
“At 4 p.m. the same day, the attackers appeared in Wangthok at Shambe Port and randomly opened fire on the boat after overpowering the escorting police officer. The ambush forced the panicked traders to flee into the surrounding swamp,” Bipal said.
He confirmed that 42 survivors returned to Panyijiar County on Monday, while one woman and the boat remain in the custody of Shambe Port authorities.
Bipal condemned the attack, describing the assailants as “youths believed to be from Lakes State,” and urged restraint and calm as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, David Kur Malieth, the county health director, told this publication that the survivors arrived in Panyijiar County after being recovered from a Yirol East County checkpoint.
“Among those 53, four people are confirmed dead and six others are still missing in Yirol East County’s riverine area,” he said. “The 42 who returned to Panyijiar are fine, and their condition is better even though they spent three days in the Nile. Now their situation is good, including their health care.”
He said the 42 survivors who returned to Panyijiar County were receiving medical treatment at Panyijiar County Health Hospital.
Efforts to reach Yirol East County Commissioner Manyang Luke for comment were unsuccessful.