A least five suspected cattle raiders, including a police officer, were shot dead in a clash in the Camp 15 area of Loriok Payam in Eastern Equatoria State’s BUDI County over the weekend
The fighting erupted after rustlers suspected to be armed Toposa youth stormed a kraal in Camp 15 and made off with over 1,200 head of cattle belonging to livestock traders. The local Buya youth in Camp 15 traced the footmarks of the raided cattle and clashed with the rustlers, killing three on the spot and injuring two others, including a police officer. The two later succumbed to their injuries.
Lino Paul, a youth leader of Loriok Payam, told Radio Tamazuj that the incident happened last Saturday at around 10 a.m. and said cattle traders often plan and raid each other’s cattle.
“Last Saturday, Toposa youth came near the school in Camp 15, attacked people, and raided cattle belonging to traders. We went from here as Buya youth and clashed with the rustlers near the mountain and recovered the stolen cattle,” he narrated. “We killed three of the Toposa youth who came from the Machi area. We did not lose anyone from our side, as Buya.”
“This is not the first time cattle have been raided from Camp 15 because the cattle traders based here are the ones who monitor the movement of cattle and call their people to come and raid,” Paul added.
For his part, Alfred Odong, the Executive Director of BUDI County, confirmed the raid and said the stolen cattle were recovered by the local youth following clashes.
“It is true that a group of criminals from Machi came and raided cattle belonging to livestock traders. The traders always buy cattle, and when they get the desired number, they take them to Torit,” he said. “The local youth followed the raiders, fought them, and brought the cows back. Cattle raiding brings insecurity in the area, yet we need peace for every community to live without fear. The government should also use force to contain the vice.”
Meanwhile, Angelo Lomoi, an SPLM Party parliamentarian representing the area, condemns the raid and urges youth to desist from such unlawful acts.
“I strongly condemn this act because this is not the first time. The youth should not come and attack the town where even Toposa traders reside. They are the ones coordinating all this, and we have evidence,” he said. “The Toposa legislators must talk to their people to stop these attacks. The state government should investigate and bring the criminals who coordinate these attacks to book.”
Kapoeta South County Paramount Chief Angelo Longoleyang Lorot confirmed that youth from his area were killed while raiding cattle in Camp 15 and said they were at fault.
“It is true that these youth of ours from Machi went and attacked Camp 15, and five of them were killed, including a policeman. This information is true,” he stated. “There is continuous raiding between the Buya and Toposa, and we, the leaders, are always talking about peace, but the youth do not listen to this call. Those five died in vain because the owners even took back their cattle.”