Two people were injured during a failed cattle raid in Tonj East County of Warrap state early Thursday, local officials said, disputing earlier reports that 15 people were killed.
Warrap State Information Minister William Wol Mayom Bol told Radio Tamazuj that two cattle owners sustained injuries after armed youth, suspected to have come from Koch, Mayendit and Panyijiar counties in neighboring Unity state, attacked cattle camps.
The assailants launched a coordinated assault on the Pathet and Muut cattle camps at about 2 a.m., he said, adding that the apparent aim was to steal livestock belonging to the Luacjang community.
Two civilians suffered minor gunshot wounds and are receiving treatment at a local health facility in Romic, Bol said. No deaths were reported.
The raid was repelled by local youth, security forces and authorities, he added.
“The Luacjang Gelweng (community youth), Division 11 SSPDF commander Maj. Gen. Akot Lual Akot, and local government authorities acted swiftly to repel the attackers,” Bol said.
He condemned the attack and called on authorities in Unity state to engage local youth to prevent cross-border violence and promote peaceful coexistence.
Tonj East County Commissioner Machuei Bith also said the attackers targeted Pathet and Muut cattle camps at dawn but were pushed back before stealing any livestock.
“They were repulsed before taking any cows, and no one was killed on our side,” Bith said, adding that some of the wounded were in critical condition due to limited medical services.
Bith said he could not confirm casualties among the attackers, who retreated toward nearby swampy areas after several hours of fighting. He warned that tensions remain high, with fears of renewed violence.
“The situation is relatively calm, but there is fear of another attack at any time because the gunmen are still in the area,” he said.
Simon Gattuor, executive director of Mayom County in Unity state, said authorities had attempted to prevent the raid.
“As of now, the situation at the border is stable, but some outlawed youth attempted to carry out a raid, which we tried to stop,” he said, adding that the state government would work to improve security along the border.
Moses Madot, a lawmaker representing Tonj East, said he was still gathering information but confirmed that a number of residents were wounded.
Officials from Mayendit, Panyijiar and Koch counties could not immediately be reached for comment.
Cattle raiding and intercommunal violence remain common in parts of Warrap and Unity states despite repeated government efforts to restore order.
NOTICE OF CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated that at least 15 people were killed in a cattle raid in Tonj East. This is inaccurate. Only two people were injured in the attack.
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