Yei River County authorities on Saturday handed over 53 recovered cattle to their rightful owners following a recent raid in the Greater Yei area, Central Equatoria State.
County officials said the animals were recovered during a security operation conducted in coordination with the Central Equatoria State security team. The cattle were reportedly taken during a raid by suspected Mundari herders earlier last week.
The recovery followed the deployment of a security team acting on directives from Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony. The operation is part of efforts to implement a presidential order requiring the return of cattle to their areas of origin and to ease tensions between farming and herding communities.
Leon Ade, Central Equatoria State minister of local government, said the security team had returned the 53 cattle recovered in Otogo Payam to their owners and reiterated the state and county governments’ commitment to ensuring those responsible are held accountable.
“The team successfully carried out the operation and rescued 53 cattle that had been taken from Otogo Payam. As I speak, the cows are here and the owners are here, and we are handing them back,” Ade said. “The execution of the order is ongoing, and we will make every effort to identify and pursue those responsible. They are our citizens, but they acted outside the law.”
Tom Luate Riko, representing the Goja community, thanked the security team and the state government for recovering the animals.
“I want to thank the county and state governments for the security they have provided to us. Without the security personnel, we would not have recovered our cattle,” he said. “On behalf of the Goja community, I appreciate the governor’s efforts in rescuing our cattle.”
Riko said the cattle were taken from an area near Gimoro, about five miles from Yei town.
Representing the Yei River County commissioner at the event, Executive Director Hillary John Konga said the county leadership remains committed to maintaining peace and protecting community property.
“We thank God for this operation. It gives us hope that those cattle that have not yet been recovered will also return,” Konga said. “We are here to protect the property of the people. Anyone who takes someone’s property without permission is a criminal.”
State Advisor for Peace and Security Angelo Daya urged residents to remain vigilant as authorities pursue the suspected raiders.
“The governor has taken note of what happened in Yei and is urging the community to remain vigilant as the government pursues the perpetrators,” Daya said. “They will be arrested and the cattle will be returned. We will not allow lawlessness in Greater Yei, which is a peaceful community.”