A boy was killed and his 10-year-old cousin abducted in a road ambush by armed assailants in Pochalla North County, part of South Sudan’s Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), authorities said Thursday.
Gilo Ochan Gilo, the Pochalla North County commissioner, told Radio Tamazuj that the victims were on a bicycle traveling to Burator Payam when they were ambushed. Their adult companion was shot and injured in the arm.
“A man was riding his 12-year-old nephew and 10-year-old son to Burator from Pochalla Town, where he had sought medical treatment for his son a few days earlier, when they were attacked Thursday morning,” Gilo said.
“The man escaped with gunshot wounds to his arms. His 12-year-old nephew was killed on the spot, and his son was abducted,” he added.
The commissioner condemned the attack, blaming armed youth from Pibor, and urged GPAA authorities to investigate and apprehend the culprits.
County police inspector Col. Amati Ochan said security forces were pursuing the attackers.
“Police, soldiers, and local youth immediately went to the scene but found the assailants had fled,” Ochan said. “The deceased child was taken to Pochalla for burial, while his wounded uncle was brought to Pochalla Hospital for treatment. As of Thursday evening, the attackers—a group of seven men—were still being pursued toward Pibor.”
Nyinginga Okano Kiro, the GPAA information minister, confirmed authorities were aware of the incident and had launched an investigation.
“We received the report from local authorities Thursday evening,” Kiro said. “The attackers reportedly crossed the river and were being pursued toward Pibor. We are awaiting a final report Friday to track their movements.