BOR – The Commissioner of Nyirol County, Peter Gatkuoth Koang Dhuor, has strongly condemned the bombardment of the main civilian market in Lankien, describing the attack as a grave violation of civilian protection and a direct assault on livelihoods.
In an official statement issued on Thursday, the county authority said the bombardment took place at around 11:20 a.m. on 4 February 2026 and directly struck the town’s central market, a vital commercial and social hub for thousands of residents.
Commissioner Gatkuoth said he personally visited the scene shortly after the incident and witnessed extensive destruction to market structures and surrounding areas. According to him, food stocks, household goods, and small-scale businesses that sustain many families were destroyed in the attack.
“I personally visited the site of the bombardment and saw the level of destruction caused to the civilian market and surrounding areas,” he said. “Food stocks, essential goods, and small businesses that sustain many families were destroyed.”
He described the Lankien market as the backbone of civilian survival in the area, noting that it serves as the primary source of food, income, and daily trade for residents of the town and nearby communities. Its destruction, he warned, has pushed many households into sudden and severe hardship.
“This market is the backbone of civilian survival in Lankien,” Gatkuoth said. “Its destruction has left many families without income, without food, and without the basic means of survival.”
The commissioner added that the bombardment caused widespread fear and panic, forcing traders and civilians to flee the area. He said women, children, and elderly people were among the most affected, both by the immediate impact of the attack and by the loss of their only reliable source of livelihood.
“The bombardment created widespread fear and panic among innocent civilians,” he said. “Women, children, and the elderly have been severely affected, not only by the attack itself but also by the sudden loss of their dependable means of survival.”
Condemning the targeting of civilian centres, Gatkuoth stressed that attacks on markets and other non-military facilities violate fundamental principles of civilian protection and international humanitarian norms. He called such actions unacceptable and deeply alarming.
The Office of the Commissioner appealed to the international community, including the United Nations, African Union, IGAD, UNMISS, and humanitarian organisations, to urgently intervene and support the affected population.
“There is an immediate need for humanitarian assistance and stronger measures to ensure the protection of civilians,” the statement said.
Commissioner Gatkuoth reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding civilians across Nyirol County and expressed solidarity with those affected by the bombardment, saying the people deserve safety, dignity, and protection from violence.
