The incident occurred on Wednesday in Toich, a swampy fishing area where residents commonly go to set fishing nets and collect their catch. The attackers reportedly ambushed the victims while they were checking their nets and later fled the scene without being identified.
Agany confirmed the incident in a phone interview on Friday, saying local authorities are still pursuing leads, but no arrests have yet been made.
“What happened on Wednesday is the killing of three people in Tonj North County here, and we are working hard to ensure that those responsible are being held to account,” Agany said.
He explained that the victims had gone to the river area where they had previously set their fishing nets when they were attacked.
Agany said efforts by local authorities to track down the perpetrators have so far not yielded results.
“We have been making attempts through local authorities to track down the culprits, but so far nothing has come to fruition,” he said.
In response to the attack, the commissioner urged residents to prioritise safety by avoiding solo movements, especially in high-risk areas such as swamps and grazing fields.
“The only viable solution for our people now is to walk in groups. When one is herding cattle or going fishing, they should not go alone. These people are armed to the teeth, so be watchful and avoid being alone,” he cautioned.
Local authorities in Warrap State have repeatedly encouraged communities to report suspicious activities and cooperate with security forces to help identify armed groups operating in rural areas.
The latest killings add to ongoing insecurity concerns in Tonj North and surrounding counties, where swampy and isolated locations have increasingly become hotspots for ambushes targeting fishermen and herders.
Similar incidents have also been reported in parts of neighbouring Twic County, where authorities and communities have often traded accusations over cattle-related violence and revenge attacks involving groups from adjacent areas, including Unity State and Abyei.
While security operations continue in affected regions, residents say attacks in remote fishing and grazing zones remain a serious concern, particularly during seasonal movements linked to livelihoods such as fishing and cattle herding.
It remains unclear whether renewed security efforts will be sufficient to curb the recurring violence and restore confidence among communities that depend on these high-risk activities for survival.
