A woman was shot and killed on Tuesday evening in Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile State, during a shootout between a joint security force and a soldier in the Jalaba neighborhood, police said.
Joseph Mayen Akon, the state’s police commissioner, told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that a joint force had been pursuing a soldier wanted for questioning when the confrontation erupted. “The exchange of fire between the security forces and the soldier resulted in the unfortunate death of a civilian,” he said.
Police immediately secured the area and arrested the soldier along with others involved in the incident, Akon added.
Preliminary investigations indicate the shooting was not motivated by personal or political reasons, and the overall situation in the city remains calm, he said.
Tor Riem, mayor of Malakal, reassured residents that security has been restored and daily life continues as normal. “The incident has been contained, and the perpetrator has been arrested,” he told Radio Tamazuj.
“Markets and government institutions are operating normally despite some social media reports suggesting otherwise.”
The mayor pointed out that the authorities are continuing investigations into the incident.
Eyewitnesses said the incident began when the soldier, armed and attempting to evade capture, entered the neighborhood and took cover before the exchange of fire occurred.