in Kapoeta South County said they have sent security forces to investigate the murders of a Somali trucker along the Kapoeta-Camp 15 road in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State.
The Somali national was killed last weekend while hauling goods to Torit and local authorities now say his murder has created panic among travelers who ply the route.
The commissioner of Kapoeta South County, Angelo Lominit Lotaba, told Radio Tamazuj Thursday that security agents were pursuing the suspected murderers.
“Last week, a trailer driven by a Somali was ambushed in the Lowareng area he was killed. We are following the footmarks of the criminals and we are investigating,” he said. “We held a meeting with the communities around the area where the attack happened and I will tell you more when investigations are complete.”
Meanwhile, Marko Lotikol, who represents the area in the state parliament, condemned the murder saying it will disrupt the supply of goods to grassroots populations.
“This is a criminal act and criminals are not good and do not know who is who and they just want to kill. We do not want such acts and the government should intervene and follow these criminals,” he said. “The National Assembly should reach out to the communities to stop these attacks.”
“Traders bring for us food and commodities and when we continue killing them, who will bring food for the civilians?” Lotikol asked.
The youth leader in greater Kapoeta, David Nayii, confirmed the incident and accused his fellow youth, who he urged to stop criminality, of the killing.
“It is a bad sign already because the youth are not listening to people and the government who are telling them to stop doing such things (killings) along the road,” he said. “We are requesting those responsible to stop such attacks because they take the country backward.”