The Anglican Archbishop of the Diocese of Lui in Western Equatoria escaped an ambush on Monday after armed men stopped his vehicle while he was travelling to attend a funeral in Maridi County, church and security officials said.
Rt Rev Stephen Dokolo was travelling along the Lui–Mundri road with six companions when the vehicle was intercepted by armed men, according to the Dean of the Diocese of Lui.
The group included two male pastors, three female pastors and a driver, who is also a pastor. The attackers forced them out of the vehicle and looted money, mobile phones and other personal belongings before fleeing, church officials said.
A community member, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, told Radio Tamazuj that the attackers took all valuables and ordered the group to leave the area.
“The bishop and his companions were stopped on the road. Their phones and money were taken and then the attackers disappeared,” the source said.
Western Equatoria State police commissioner Maj Gen Phillip Madut Tong confirmed the incident, saying the church officials were briefly held but were not harmed.
“No one was killed or beaten,” Tong said, adding that the archbishop and his companions later continued their journey safely.
Tong said security forces pursued the attackers but found they had already fled, accusing rebel forces operating in the area of involvement.
He said the situation was now calm and urged travellers to remain cautious during the Christmas period, adding that police patrols would continue on major highways.
Maridi County Commissioner Alfred Mirri confirmed the incident.
Attempts to reach the Mundri East County commissioner were unsuccessful.
Despite the attack, Archbishop Dokolo and his companions arrived safely in Maridi later in the day. Church authorities condemned the ambush and expressed concern over continued insecurity on major roads, calling on authorities to strengthen protection for travellers.
Opposition officials in the area could not immediately be reached for comment.
The Greater Mundri area has in recent months seen clashes between government forces and a joint force of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition and the National Salvation Front.