JUBA — The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) has arrested several soldiers, including two senior commanders accused of killing civilians in Ayod County of Jonglei State, a military official said.
On February 21, 2026, soldiers from the SSPDF allegedly opened fire on unarmed civilians in the village of Pankor in Jonglei State, killing at least 25 people, including women, children, and the elderly.
Addressing journalists at a press conference on Friday in Juba, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, SSPDF spokesperson, confirmed that the army had detained two unnamed senior officers and several non-commissioned officers suspected of involvement in the killings.
“About 60 soldiers, under the command of two officers—a major and a captain—left their base without permission from their commanding officer,” Lul said.
Gen. Lul admitted between 21 and 27 civilians were reportedly killed in Pankor under what he described as “unclear circumstances.”
He said the matter was brought to the attention of the Chief of Defense Forces, who ordered the arrest of those suspected to be involved.
“They went to Pankor village and, under unclear circumstances, started killing civilians.”
The SSPDF spokesperson said the suspects have been detained and will be transferred to Juba to face a military court-martial.
“They will account for their crimes as individuals,” he added.
According to Maj. Gen. Lul, the soldiers are believed to be from Agwelek forces commanded by Johnson Olony, whose fighters have not yet been fully integrated into the national army.
He assured the public that the army will take legal action against those responsible for killing 25 civilians in Ayob County.
“Our forces at Pankor killed civilians. We have arrested the suspects, and they will go through a legal process,” he said. “We expect SPLA-IO to do the same for civilians massacred in Abiemnhom.”
He called on the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) to take similar action over the deadly attack in Abiemnhom, which left nearly 190 killed, including two senior officials, women, children, and elderly.
He described the incident of Abiemnhom as “very unfortunate,” saying the government troops who were deployed in the area managed to repel the attackers.
“On that day we lost 36 personnel from the joint security forces, and the number has now risen to 40,” he said.
He added that two brigadiers and several other officers were wounded during the fighting.
The army spokesperson said the attack targeted both military positions and civilians.
“SPLA-IO bears the biggest responsibility. Our positions were attacked simultaneously with civilian targets,” he said.
However, in an earlier response, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army—In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), through its Acting Press Secretary Puok Both Baluang, denied any involvement.
“The leadership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army—In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) unequivocally rejects and condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the unfounded allegations,” he said.
“We categorically deny any participation in or responsibility for the incident and emphasize that SPLM/A-IO has no military presence in the area concerned.”
