Families and community leaders in Ibba County, Western Equatoria State, are appealing for assistance in tracing two traders who have been missing for more than a week after travelling from Juba on a business trip.
Relatives say they lost contact with the men shortly after they departed the capital on Tuesday, May 26.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Yangadako Justin John, the brother of one of the missing traders, Peter Zapiere, said the family has been living in uncertainty since communication suddenly stopped.
“Peter Zapiere left Juba last Tuesday, 26 May, on a business trip and was expected to return home. We started tracing his movements and contacted people who had communicated with him. We were informed that he was last seen travelling on a motorbike with another trader, Richard Zapiere,” Justin said.
He said relatives have searched along the Juba–Yambio road, including Luri, Kuda and Rokon, but have not obtained any information on the whereabouts of the two men. He added that reports of a suspicious discovery in the Rokon area remain unverified.
“We do not know whether they are safe, injured, or being held somewhere. We appeal to security authorities, government officials and anyone with information to help locate them and reunite them with their families,” he said.
John Elia, the father of another missing man, Emmanuel Kuye, also appealed for assistance, saying the family had exhausted all efforts to trace him.
“We are appealing to the government and anyone who may find him to help bring him back. He is my only child. He is married and has a child. I want my son back if he is found,” he said.
A community leader from Ibba County, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the missing men were traders who had travelled to Juba to purchase goods before returning home.
“One is from Nabanga Payam and the other from Ibba Central Payam. They bought goods in Juba and were travelling back on motorbikes,” the leader said, adding that the men are civilians.
“They are not soldiers. If they have been arrested or detained somewhere, we appeal for their release. They have families and contribute to their communities,” he said.
Ibba County Commissioner Wilson Tetela condemned repeated killings, abductions and insecurity along the Juba–Yambio road, saying such incidents are undermining civilian safety and restricting freedom of movement.
He called on security forces to intensify efforts to protect road users, investigate the disappearances, and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
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