Relatively calm has returned to Besilia Payam in Wau County after a series of deadly security incidents in recent days, police in Western Bahr el Ghazal State said on Friday.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, the state’s police spokesperson, Lt. Col. Santino Oduol Mayen, said security forces had been deployed to restore order following communal violence and a string of armed attacks.
“The general security situation in Wau town and across the state’s three counties remains relatively calm and under control,” Mayen said. “However, several security incidents were recorded over the past few days.”
Mayen said the first incident occurred on June 26 in the Matok area between Fungo and Besilia payams, where a communal dispute between rival clans turned violent.
During the confrontation, an opposition soldier from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) allegedly opened fire on civilians, killing two people at the scene and wounding three others, he said. One of the injured later died while receiving treatment at Wau Teaching Hospital.
“The soldier allegedly opened fire on the crowd, resulting in five casualties. Two people died instantly, while three others were injured. One of the injured later succumbed to his wounds at Wau Teaching Hospital,” Mayen said.
He said a second incident occurred on June 30 when unidentified armed men ambushed a commercial vehicle at Jebel Atali along the Besilia road, killing a 29-year-old passenger travelling from Raja.
On the same day, armed criminals allegedly attacked another traveller on the same road, stealing a motorcycle and an undisclosed amount of money, Mayen said.
Police also discovered the body of a 29-year-old man, identified only as Erine, on July 1 in the same area. The victim had sustained gunshot wounds, according to Mayen.
Police have opened criminal cases into the incidents, and investigations are ongoing.
“Investigations are underway to identify and apprehend those responsible,” Mayen said. “The state police remain committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety of the public.”
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