A man accused of adultery killed himself and injured three soldiers with a hand grenade in Rumbek East County of Lakes State, authorities said Friday.
The incident occurred Wednesday when security forces were sent to collect the man for questioning.
Lakes State Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Chol Atem told Radio Tamazuj that the man detonated the grenade, mistakenly believing he had removed its safety mechanism and was throwing it at the approaching soldiers.
“The injured were three soldiers, and only himself has died as a result of his own incident,” Atem said. “Yes, there were some allegations on him.”
The man was wanted for investigation after being accused of impregnating another man’s wife.
Atem warned civilians against handling grenades, stating they are defensive weapons for trained personnel. “They should not attempt to have them while they don’t have experience,” he said.
The police commissioner described the suspect as a former army officer who had been living in the area for years and was known to locals as a practitioner of witchcraft. “If it was clear he was a soldier, we would have collected him,” Atem said, adding that the security situation in the area is calmed.”
Daniel Laat Kon, coordinator for the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization in Lakes State, condemned the attack. He urged people to use legal channels to address grievances rather than violence.
“If someone might have committed a crime… it is better you follow a due process of law,” he said, also citing economic hardship and mental distress as factors in such incidents.
Laat Kon also called for stricter controls on military weapons, stating that soldiers should not be allowed to take grenades or assault rifles home when off duty.