A community chief was shot and killed in an apparent revenge attack Friday evening in Cueibet County, Lakes State, leading his daughter to die by suicide upon hearing the news, according to local officials and a relative.
Chief Manyuon Chol Dut was ambushed and killed by a gunman while returning to his home in Mayath Payam around 7 p.m., said Maluak Manyar Madiak, a relative of the chief.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Saturday, Maluak said the suspect was identified by the family as Wetnhiak Mapan from the Pagoor clan.
Manyot Magar, the national parliament member representing Cueibet County, told Radio Tamazuj that the killing was an act of revenge for the death of the suspect’s father during intercommunal violence in 2018-2019.
Following the attack, two of Chief Manyuon’s daughters attempted suicide, Magar said. One daughter, Adeng Manyuon Chol, died. The other, Yom Manyuon Chol, was rescued and is receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Cueibet County.
“The situation is calmed but tension remains high as both clans did not meet each other to fight themselves because of government and elders intervention,” Magar said.
He added that the clan of the alleged attacker had fled the area, deserting their villages and cattle camps.
Magar said the state government has promised the bereaved families to remain calm and that authorities will work to apprehend those responsible for the killing.
Attempts to reach Lakes State’s acting minister of information, William Koji Kerjok, for comment were unsuccessful.
Lakes State has long struggled with cycles of revenge killings, often rooted in cattle raiding and disputes over resources, which are exacerbated by the proliferation of arms and weak law enforcement. Despite government efforts to broker peace, these retaliatory attacks remain a deadly feature of life in most parts of the state.