In a statement dated April 22, Governor Jacob Dollar Ruot said the assault, which occurred a day earlier, was carried out by what he described as “criminal elements from Murle,” from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
The governor condemned the killings as “barbaric” and a grave violation of both national and international humanitarian laws, noting that the victims were civilians. He expressed shock over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
“The government strongly condemns this brutal act and stands in solidarity with the affected families during this difficult time,” the statement read in part.
The attack has heightened tensions in the area, with local authorities pointing fingers at armed youth groups believed to have crossed from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area into Ulang County.
Governor Ruot said his administration is coordinating with authorities in Pibor to track down those responsible and prevent further violence. He assured residents that security forces have already intervened to restore calm in the affected areas.
“We are taking concrete measures to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book and to avoid a recurrence of such incidents,” he said.
Residents have been urged to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as efforts continue to stabilise the situation.
Authorities from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area did not immediately respond to the accusations.
Intercommunal violence involving cattle raiding and revenge attacks has been a persistent challenge in parts of Upper Nile and neighbouring regions, often resulting in casualties and displacements.
Recent regional attempts to ensure peaceful co-existence between the Greater Pibor Administrative Area and neighbouring states have hardly yielded positive outcomes, with the prevalence of incidents of cattle raid and child abduction.
