An ambush by bandits on the Juba–Bor Highway on Wednesday left an Eco Bus driver and several passengers injured and forced others to flee into nearby bushes as attackers robbed travelers of their valuables.
The management of Eco Bus condemned the attack, describing it as a criminal act that targeted one of its buses near Mogiri along the Juba–Bor Highway.
“We regret to inform you that one of our buses was involved in an armed ambush this (Wednesday) morning along the Juba-Bor Highway near Mongiri. During the incident, our driver sustained a gunshot injury and is receiving medical attention,” the statement reads in part. “We are grateful to report that all passengers are safe. Three passengers sustained minor injuries from shattered window glass caused by the gunfire and have received the necessary assistance.”
The transport company said the attackers robbed passengers of cash, mobile phones and other personal belongings before fleeing the scene.
“Unfortunately, the criminals robbed passengers’ cash, mobile phones, and other small personal belongings before fleeing the scene. We are working closely with the relevant security authorities and are providing all possible support to our driver and affected passengers,” the statement added. “We sincerely appreciate your concern, understanding, and continued trust during this difficult time. We will share further updates as more information becomes available.”
Authorities in Central Equatoria State confirmed that the passenger bus, registration number SSD 552A, came under attack at about 10:30 a.m. in Bilinyang Boma of Juba County.
Central Equatoria State Minister of Information Patrick Nyarsuk said unidentified armed men carried out the ambush and shot the driver before security personnel and local authorities responded to the scene.
“The bus was ambushed by unidentified armed assailants at around 10:30 a.m. in Bilinyang Boma along the Juba–Bor Highway,” he stated. “The driver was shot during the attack, and security forces together with local authorities responded immediately while investigations are underway.”
Meanwhile, Deng Jool, the chairman of the Drivers’ Union in Jonglei State, strongly condemned the attack, saying insecurity along the highway continues to endanger transport operators and passengers.
Jool alleged that the attackers could have been criminals operating from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area around the Mogiri cattle auction area.
“We strongly condemn this criminal attack on innocent travelers. The government must intensify security patrols along the Juba–Bor Highway because drivers and passengers are increasingly becoming targets of armed criminals,” he said. “We suspect the perpetrators could be criminal elements operating around the Mogiri area, where cattle auctions are held, but security authorities should conduct thorough investigations to establish the facts.”
However, Jacob Werchum Juok, the Minister of Information in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), rejected claims that armed youth from the area were involved in the ambush.
“First of all, the area where the incident occurred is outside the Greater Pibor Administrative Area. It is along the border corridor between Central Equatoria and Jonglei states, and investigations should begin from there. The governments of Jonglei and Central Equatoria should coordinate and investigate what happened along that route,” he said. “As for Greater Pibor, we are not aware of this incident, and the location is far from our area of responsibility. Let the authorities conduct investigations before attributing blame.”
The attack has renewed concerns over persistent insecurity along the Juba–Bor Highway, a key transport corridor linking the capital with Jonglei State, where travelers and commercial vehicles have repeatedly fallen victim to armed robberies and ambushes.
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