TORIT – A 29-year-old man identified as Ofere Miho was shot dead during an attempted cattle raid in Haforere village, Torit County, Eastern Equatoria State, on Saturday, local authorities said.
The incident occurred after a suspected group of youths from Hiyala reportedly attempted to raid cattle in Haforere and carry out a revenge attack.
The group was ambushed by Haforere youths, resulting in Miho’s death, while two others managed to escape, according to local sources.
Gabriel Ohide, sub-chief of Hiyala, said the raid and revenge attempt happened at midday on the outskirts of Haforere village.
“These youths went to Haforere to raid cattle and avenge the killing of one of their own, who was previously killed by suspected Haforere youths,” Ohide told reporters. “They fell into an ambush and were shot at, killing one and wounding another.”
The deceased’s body remains at the scene, as youths from Hiyala have refrained from retrieving it for fear of further clashes, local officials said.
Galileo Ohide, paramount chief of Hiyala, confirmed the incident and called on the government to intervene, warning that ongoing revenge attacks between Hiyala and Haforere youths were escalating violence in the area.
“Revenge killings between the youths of Hiyala and Haforere are alarming, and many lives continue to be lost,” the paramount chief said.
Efforts to reach Haforere authorities for comment were unsuccessful.