Five killed as over 500 cattle raided in Duk County

At least five people were killed and nine others injured during a cattle raid in Jonglei State’s Duk County on Thursday, authorities said.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Peter Chol Gatluak, caretaker commissioner for Duk County, said more than 500 head of cattle were rustled by the assailants, who he said came from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).

“At 11 a.m., a cattle camp in Ageer Payam was attacked by Murle criminals,” he stated. “Five of our local youth were killed and nine others injured. It is estimated that between 500 and 799 cows were also raided.”

Chol condemned the attack and urged GPAA authorities to investigate the incident.

Meanwhile, Jacob Werchum Jouk, the GPAA information minister, said they are not aware of the attack, saying Murle youth are always accused of any attacks in Jonglei State.

“We are not aware of this cattle raid. It is always normal for our counterparts in Jonglei State to point fingers at GPAA,” he said. “We ask them to investigate and gather any evidence, and we will also investigate.”