An 11-year-old boy has been reunited with his parents in Eastern Equatoria State after being missing for three months, following a violent ambush that separated him from his family.
Joseph Ngee was returned to his family in the town of Torit in an operation led by the charity Save the Children and the State Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare.
His disappearance began in August when the vehicle he was travelling in with his four-year-old sister was ambushed by unknown assailants on the road between Kapoeta and Torit.
Officials said passengers fled into the surrounding bush to escape the attack. Joseph and his younger sister became lost in the wilderness.
According to accounts gathered by aid workers, the two children survived for nine days on their own before Joseph’s sister died due to the harsh conditions. Joseph was eventually found alone a week later in the Maci area of Kapoeta South County.
His father, Peter Ofere, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that he had “nearly lost hope” of seeing his son again.
“I had sent this boy with my younger wife to Kapoeta. They were ambushed by criminals, and the children fled into the bush,” Ofere said.
“For nine days, they survived until my little girl tragically died. This boy endured for 17 days alone. When I finally learned of his whereabouts, I cried tears of joy. Now that I have him back, I am overwhelmed with happiness.”
The Eastern Equatoria State Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare said it has reunited more than 18 lost children with their families since the start of 2024.
Mary Akai Musa, a caseworker for Save the Children, described the ambush as a “horrific incident” that had “deeply impacted many lives”.
Dominica Idwa, the Director General of the State Ministry, affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the family.
“The hearts of this family have been shattered by these events, and as a government, we are deeply saddened,” Ms Idwa said.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that social workers will provide frequent visits to the family, offering vital psychosocial support and counselling for both Joseph and his parents as they rebuild their lives together.”
The ambush that led to the 11-year-old boy going missing for three months on the Kapoeta-Torit road is part of a persistent pattern of insecurity plaguing major transport routes in Eastern Equatoria State.