A wave of child abductions, cattle theft and armed attacks is raising fresh security concerns in Imehejek Administrative Area in Eastern Equatoria State, with local authorities confirming that one of two children abducted while grazing goats was killed and another rescued.
Matthew Oromo, the area’s chief administrator, said the two children were abducted from the Lokotok area while grazing goats near farms.
Local youth who protect herds and villages, known as Monyemiji, followed the children’s footprints, and the rescue attempt resulted in an armed confrontation with suspected abductors.
“The Monyemiji went and clashed with the criminals, and one boy was shot dead in the crossfire, and then one boy was recovered alive,” Oromo said.
The deceased child is believed to have been about 14 or 15 years old, while the age of the rescued child was not immediately provided.
Oromo said information received from the Monyemiji who pursued the abductors indicates that the latter may have come from Greater Pibor Administrative Area. He said similar incidents have been reported in different parts of the area since the beginning of the year, including cases involving children and women.
Among the incidents he cited were children reportedly abducted from Lacharock and Hiyagi, with some later recovered.
The administrator also reported an incident involving two children who had been discharged from Imehejek County Hospital and were reportedly abducted near the hospital while on their way home. The children were later recovered.
Oromo further said two women were abducted in another incident, with one reportedly abandoned in the bush while the other was taken toward Pibor before eventually being recovered after authorities intervened. He said there have also been attempted abductions in areas around Western Lopit and Lalanga, with some victims managing to escape.
Meanwhile, Uztaz Oyet Ambross Albino, Chairperson of the Lopit Community, strongly condemned the reported abductions, killings and cattle theft.
“When we as South Sudanese are still killing ourselves, abducting our children and taking our animals, it will not pave the way for our future development,” he stated. “It will take us backward.”
He described the killing of a child during the attempted rescue as “very shocking” and called for an end to violence against children and civilians.
Albino also called on the younger generation and community leaders to take greater responsibility for protecting their communities, property and livestock while maintaining peaceful relations with neighbouring communities.
He urged communities to cooperate with authorities in identifying and arresting suspected criminals, regardless of where they come from.
“They have to take responsibility to defend their land, defend their people and defend their property,” he said, while also urging communities to work with their neighbours to apprehend criminals and allow the law to take its course.
Efforts to reach Greater Pibor Administrative Area authorities for comment were futile.
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