Two South Sudanese national security officers were injured in an apparent internal shooting in the town of Yambio, authorities said Wednesday.
The incident occurred in the Gracia Nursery area on Wednesday evening following a reported disagreement between the two men. Local officials described the event as a “violent misunderstanding.”
An eyewitness, who spoke to Radio Tamazuj on condition of anonymity, said one officer was shot in the leg and another was wounded in the neck. Both have been transferred to Juba for treatment.
Yambio County Commissioner Michael Ismail confirmed the incident and said he would “follow up to understand the main cause.”
Western Equatoria State’s police commissioner, Maj. Gen. Phillip Madut Tong, said preliminary information suggested the officers had been drinking. “It was a misunderstanding among soldiers because they were drunk,” he said. “The situation is now peaceful. No civilians were harmed.”
He said authorities have launched an investigation to establish the exact circumstances, including whether the shooting was deliberate. The police official urged calm while the inquiry continues.
Some residents have voiced concern about security incidents in the area and called for stricter discipline within the security forces.
NOTICE OF CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated that one security officer has been killed. This is inaccurate. The two officers sustained injuries.