Armed bandits staged a roadblock and held the editor-in-chief of Iyete FM, several pupils, and farmers for several hours and robbed them in Morobo County, Central Equatoria State, on Tuesday.
The radio editor, Bidali Hillary, told Radio Tamazuj that the incident occurred at around 8:45 a.m. when he was returning home from a funeral in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He said the bandits who are believed to be operating in U’dudra Village of Lujule Payam’s Kembe Boma detained several people, including farmers and school children from Umbaci Keliko Primary School.
“Pupils, farmers, and other travelers were among those arrested for six hours. That means the ambush was set up too early, probably at 5:00 a.m.,” he narrated. “I arrived at the scene at 8:45 a.m. while I was returning from a funeral in DRC to go and resume my normal duties.”
Hillary added that the armed men confiscated all his work equipment, including a laptop, recorder, and smartphone.
“This is the second time my work items are being looted. The first time was in December 2022,” he lamented. “I am desperate and don’t know what to do.”
Hillary appealed for assistance from well-wishers to help him replace his work tools.
For his part, Draga Elnoma, the Iyete FM station manager, confirmed the incident and said the loss of the editor’s equipment was a blow to the media house. He said the incident was reported to the county authorities.
Meanwhile, Morobo County Commissioner Charles Data Bullen told this publication that several people were victims of the bandits that day.
“The incident happened not only to Hillary, but other people were involved,” he said curtly. “However, I cannot give more information, I am busy at the moment. Call me after three hours.”