The authorities in Lakes State have said that armed criminals suspected to be from neighbouring Unity State’s Panyijar County attacked Adior village in Yirol East County on Saturday and killed one man and raided 5 cows.
Lakes State Acting Information Minister William Koji Kerjok told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday that the bandits kidnapped a couple and later killed the husband before freeing the wife.
“On Saturday, the usual criminals from Panyijar attacked a home and took a man and his wife, and five cows. Later, the criminals killed the man and left the woman, but went away with the cows,” he said. “They came back in the evening and started terrorizing Adior Village and exchanged gunfire with the residents. No injuries were reported, but the police on the ground managed to chase away some of the criminals and apprehend others who will be held accountable.”
“The government will protect the people and their property, and we urge the commissioner of Panyijar County to continue cooperating and deal with criminals from his side,” Minister Koji added.
He said the situation had returned to normal and lauded the authorities in Unity State for recovering and returning some cattle rustled from Lakes State in the past.
“The commissioner of Yirol East County is currently in Adior Payam to make sure the situation is under control and the criminals are dealt with,” Koji stated.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Magok Bol, the commissioner of Panyijar County, acknowledged cattle raiding between his county and Lakes State.
“We made 21 resolutions with Lakes State in 2021 after we agreed that there would be no cattle raiding along our borders,” he said. “I am aware of what happened, but I want to tell our brothers and sisters in Lakes State that it is not a community attack from our side, but an act carried out by criminals who create insecurity along the border line.”
“If we arrest one criminal, we will get the rest,” Commissioner Magok vowed.