The authorities in Ikotos County in Eastern Equatoria State are investigating Wednesday’s killing of a farmer, Pasquali Lopeyok, 38, in Woroworo Village in Isohe payam.
According to sources, criminals allegedly from the Lolianga area in Torit County, shot the deceased in the head and waist, killing him instantly. Local authorities said three youths were confronted by local youths on suspicion of being responsible for the killing, but that they later escaped.
Isohe Payam Head Chief Avelino Loliha told Radio Tamazuj that the local youth who are unarmed did not follow the footmarks of suspects to avoid clashes. He urged the government to intervene.
“Yesterday (Wednesday) at around 8 a.m., criminals came from Lolianga and killed a man in his garden. The criminals allegedly slept in Lofi before coming early in the morning. The locals thought they were good people, yet they were criminals,” he explained. “They first shot at Pasquali Lopeyok and missed, and chased him for a distance before shooting him in the head and waist. Then they escaped.”
“Security forces need to come here and help us follow the footmarks of the criminals to arrest them,” Chief Loliha added.
Ikotos County Commissioner Timon Loboi confirmed the incident and said illegal firearms among civilians hinder peaceful co-existence in the area. He promised to engage his Torit County counterpart to investigate the killing so that the perpetrators are brought to book.
“I am aware of the incident. The local youth followed the footmarks of the killers, and they went through Lofi and entered Lolianga,” he said. “The government is trying to make sure there is peaceful co-existence.”
Meanwhile, Alphones Muras Chacha, an SPLM Party state lawmaker from the area, condemned the killing and warned communities against revenge killings.
“It is very unfortunate, such an incident is unacceptable, and we always condemn it because killing ourselves is not good,” he said. “Such things should not happen again because tomorrow the people of Isoke will also want to take revenge, and that is not a solution. Following the law is the solution.”
When contacted, Torit County Commissioner Christopher Andrew said he had not received any information about the killing but promised to contact local authorities.