Two university students who were travelling from Ethiopia to Uror County for vacation were killed in a road ambush in Jonglei State’s Akobo County on Sunday, authorities said.
Benson Gatwech, the county executive secretary, told Radio Tamazuj that the students were returning home for holidays when they were waylaid at the outskirts of Akobo West.
“The deceased were in the company of about 10 other students when they were attacked in the Dwa-Achan desert in Akobo West. Two were killed on the spot and others escaped,” he said. “Those who escaped arrived safely in Kaykuiny in Walgak and informed us of the killing.”
“The students were moving to their families because schools in Ethiopia close in July,” Gatwech added.
Meanwhile, Gatluak Bol, a resident of Yuai, said his cousin was among those killed.
“Those who were attacked are university students. They were moving from schools in Ethiopia through Akobo to join us,” he disclosed. “One of my relatives, a cousin called Majok Ker, was killed. We are not happy. Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) youth should stop killing students.”
Efforts to reach GPAA authorities were futile as the cabinet there was dissolved. Chief Administrator Gola Boyoi was not available either.