Prominent South Sudanese businessman shot dead in Nyirol revenge attack

JUBA – A prominent businessman in Nyirol County of South Sudan’s Jonglei state has been killed in a revenge attack on Friday, authorities and relatives alike have said.

One of the relatives of the deceased said, according to Radio Tamazuj, Businessman Yik Makuach Jok Bath was shot dead inside Langkien, Nyirol County headquarters, by an assailant avenging for his brother on Friday evening.

“The businessman was killed just after he airlifted some goods to Langkien two weeks ago. The assailant came from Uror County’s Motot area and he is revenging for his brother killed in Pading three years ago by a relative of Yik,” he said.

Makuei said they are shocked by the death of their son who hails from Nyirol’s Pading and called on the authorities there to investigate the incident and arrest anyone involved.

John Yoal Chuol, the Nyirol county executive director, said the murder suspect has immediately escaped to Uror but that they are engaging their counterparts there to help arrest the suspect.

The local official called for calm as the investigation is underway.

“On social media, there are reports that those hailing from Uror are being targeted in Nyirol. This is not true. The situation is calm,” he said.

For his part, Joseph Mayen Akoon, the state police commissioner, cautioned the locals against seeking redress through revenge killing which he said has seen a rise over the past few months, instead he urged them to allow the law to take its course.