32 passengers reportedly killed in Lakes State boat ambush

RUMBEK – At least 32 passengers traveling by boat from Upper Nile and Unity states to Juba were reportedly killed in an armed ambush along River Nile in South Sudan’s Lake State, one of the five survivors told Sudans Post in an exclusive interview.

The survivor, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the boat was carrying 37 passengers when it was attacked by unidentified gunmen during their journey along the River Nile on Friday last week. He said only five people survived the incident, while the remaining 32 passengers were killed.

“We were attacked while travelling from Upper Nile State and Unity State to Juba. Thirty-two people were killed during the ambush, and only five of us survived. The boat was also taken by the criminals,” the survivor said.

He added that the attackers were believed to be operating along the border areas between Unity and Lake states, where insecurity has continued to threaten river transport routes used by communities in Greater Upper Nile.

“As I speak to you now, I am in Bor town with the other four survivors who were with me during the attack,” he said.

The survivor appealed to the Lake State government to strengthen security along the river routes, which he described as a critical lifeline for communities in Unity, Ruweng, and Upper Nile states.

“The government of Lake State should provide better security for river passengers because the river is the only means of transport available to us as people from Greater Upper Nile, Unity, Ruweng, and Upper Nile State,” he said.

Meanwhile, Unity State authorities said they were not aware of the reported attack, citing leadership disputes in Panyijiar County, which borders Lake State.

Unity State Minister of Information and Communications Nyakenya Johannes Keah Ruai said the authorities had not received official communication about the incident because of challenges involving the county administration.

“We are not aware of any incident that occurred at the border between Lake State and Unity State because we do not have the right person to communicate with us as authorities,” she said.

Nyakenya claimed that the recognised commissioner of Panyijiar County remained Gabriel Magok Bol, who she said was currently based at Adok Port, adding that the person currently occupying the position was not recognised by the Unity State government.

“As the government of Unity State, we do not recognise him as the commissioner of Panyijiar County. The person we recognise is only Gabriel Magok Bol, who is in Adok Port,” she said.

Efforts by Sudans Post to obtain a comment from Lakes State authorities were unsuccessful. Lakes State Minister of Information, Communication, and Postal Services, Paul Chabiet, declined to comment and rejected inquiries from Sudans Post regarding the reported attack.

The alleged incident comes amid growing concerns over insecurity along South Sudan’s waterways, which remain a major transport corridor for civilians and traders, particularly in areas where road networks are limited.