25 killed, 10 wounded during cattle raid in Abiemnhom County

By Simon Deng

At least 25 people including soldiers were killed and 10 others wounded on Wednesday during cattle raid in Abiemnhom by armed youth from neighboring Mayom County, Unity State.

 Mario Deng Ayot, the Commissioner of Abiemnhom County located in oil-rich Ruweng Administrative Area, told The Dawn the armed attackers exchanged fire at around 9 a.m with security officers at the County headquarters, before overpowering the security personnel.

He disclosed that the attackers made off with undisclosed number of cattle.

Ayot added that many civilians are still missing following the deadly attack.

 He also revealed that attempts to engage with Mayom County authorities to de-escalate tensions between the two neighboring communities had failed.

Ayot said the wounded people are currently being treated for gunshot wounds at Abiemnhom County hospital.

Meanwhile, four people were killed in a separate attack on Tuesday in Abiemnhom County, leaving 35 goats looted by the attackers suspected to be from Mayom County.

Attempts to reach out to the Mayom County Commissioner, James Liliy Kuol, for comment over the attack by armed youth from Mayom were futile by press time as our repeated phone calls went unanswered.