Army chief orders probe into alleged killing of worshipers in Central Equatoria

JUBA – South Sudan’s army chief General Santino Deng Wol ordered on Wednesday an investigation into the killing of worshipers by government soldiers during a Church service last Sunday in Lainya County of Central Equatoria state, army spokesman Major-General Lul Ruai Koang said.

Archbishop of Central Equatoria state Internal Province Paul Yugusuk said armed men dressed in military fatigues raided and arrested Pastor Comas Kwaje Matayo who was a Parish Priest at Gumbri.

He said others who were arrested along with the pastor include a 10-year-old Sunday school boy who was also killed in cold blood on Monday.

The motive behind the killing of the worshippers is not yet known but, Major General Lul Ruai Koang told Sudans Post this morning that army chief General Santino Deng Wol has ordered investigation into the allegations given what he calls seriousness of the level of accusation.

“We are no sure that our servicemen deployed in Lainya were responsible for picking up members of the Church and killed them in cold blood,” General Lul told Sudans Post via phone interview in Juba.

“This information was brought to the attention of the chief of defense force, Gen. Santino Deng Wol who promised to carry out an investigation because the level of accusation is so serious,” he disclosed.

“We have just shared with him this information and he said he is not sure whether our forces were responsible for those killed but however, he promised that investigation will be done,” he added.