Armed assailants abducted seven civilians and killed a government soldier in an attack on Thursday morning in Maridi County, Western Equatoria State, local officials said.
Alfred Mirri, the Maridi County commissioner, told Radio Tamazuj that the incident occurred in the Land Morro area, about nine miles from Maridi town. He said the attackers ambushed civilians before clashing with South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) soldiers.
“These criminals ambushed and abducted seven people. They also attacked SSPDF soldiers, killing one and critically injuring another,” Mirri said. “Security forces pursued the attackers, and some abductees have since been rescued, though others remain missing. The situation is now calm.”
Paramount Chief Daniel James Bakindo confirmed the attack and said the victims were mostly local youth working on nearby farms. He urged armed groups to lay down their weapons.
“My appeal to the youth is to stop taking up arms against their own people,” Bakindo said. “These attacks disrupt farming and put families at risk. We must resolve our differences peacefully.”
Western Equatoria State Police Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Philip Madut Tong, said one woman remains among the missing. He said security forces are continuing search and rescue operations.
“We have deployed forces to pursue the criminals,” Madut said. “The situation is under control, though it has caused fear among residents.”
The police officer did not identify the attackers.
Western Equatoria State has faced growing insecurity since the beginning of the year, following political tensions and the dismissal of opposition governor Gen. Alfred Futuyo by President Salva Kiir.
Similar attacks have been reported recently in the area of Maridi, which has a known presence of armed groups such as the National Salvation Front (NAS) and the opposition SPLA-IO.
No group has claimed responsibility for the incident so far.