The authorities in Western Equatoria State have launched a search for two police officers who were abducted after a government vehicle belonging to the Commissioner of Mundri West County was set on fire.
The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday in Ladingwa Boma, Bangolo Payam, after the vehicle transported the sick brother of Transitional National Legislative Assembly Speaker Joseph Ngere Paciko.
Western Equatoria State Information Minister Mohammed Juma said armed men wearing military uniform stopped the vehicle as it was returning from Ladingwa.
According to Juma, the gunmen took two police officers and the civilian driver before setting the government vehicle on fire. The driver was later released after the attackers established that he was a civilian.
The driver told authorities he had been tied up and forced to watch as the vehicle was burned.
“They left only one driver, because the driver is a civilian. They said this guy is a civilian, so let’s let him go,” Juma said.
The minister says the identities and affiliation of the armed men remain unknown.
Zilipher Dawa Justin, Commissioner of Mundri West County, was not in the vehicle when the incident occurred.
Authorities say the whereabouts of the two abducted police officers remain unknown as the search and investigation continue.
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