A 5-year-old girl abducted in 2022 has been reunited with her family after being handed over by the Pibor Administrative Area authorities to officials from Unity State.
The child, Nyasunday Tikyok Wal, was received last Friday at Juba International Airport by Unity State Coordination Office head Diplomat John Reyhok Jany. She had been abducted by armed men believed to be from the Murle ethnic group on November 28, 2022, along the Nimule–Juba highway.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Jany confirmed the handover and expressed gratitude to the Pibor authorities for their cooperation.
“We received the child from the Pibor Administrative Area government at Juba International Airport and reunited her with her family,” Jany said. “We appreciate the Pibor leadership for facilitating the return of the child and call for accountability for those responsible for the abduction.”
According to officials, Nyasunday was one of two children taken during the 2022 attack. The first child was returned two weeks ago. Nyasunday’s return marks the second successful recovery.
David Jiji Lomodong, the coordinator of the Pibor Administrative Area, also spoke to Radio Tamazuj. He acknowledged the long-standing problem of child abduction in the area and said his administration has introduced tough measures to combat it.
“Yes, we handed the child to the Unity State Coordination Office on Friday,” Lomodong said. “It is the first time the Pibor Administrative Area has reunited a girl with her parents in such a case.”