The incident happened on Friday in Kpangima village, south of Tambura town, where the victims were heading to their farms to harvest cassava before they were intercepted by gunmen and taken toward the Nabanga area.
Acting Paramount Chief of Tambura County, Thomas Bandaisa, said local elders mobilized quickly after reports of the abduction reached the community.
“One youth escaped and informed us. Community members, including Mr. Angelo Davide, followed up with the armed group to plead for the release of the remaining victims,” Chief Bandaisa told Sudan’s Post. “The youth were eventually freed, but they had been beaten seriously. Fortunately, none lost their lives.”
One of the victim who spoke in anonymityof fear, said he and his pregnant wife were among those arrested.
“They beat me until blood came from my eyes. They accused us of being spies, yet we were only going to the farm,” Wilson recalled. “We want peace — without peace, we cannot cultivate, our children cannot study, and communities will continue suffering.”
Tambura County Acting Commissioner John Cele condemned the attack, calling it a violation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.
“We strongly urge SPLM-IO forces to stop harassing civilians. People in Tambura are already struggling — many are displaced, hungry, and living without access to basic services,” Cele said. “Any political differences must be addressed through peaceful dialogue.”
Efforts by Sudan’s Post to reach SPLM-IO officials for comment were unsuccessful. State authorities and security agencies have yet to issue a formal statement.
Local residents warn that continued harassment of civilians risks undermining the fragile calm in Tambura, which has been recovering from past clashes between rival forces.
