KUAJOK – At least three people, including one suspected raider, have been killed and four others critically injured following a cattle raid in Agook-Nyang village of Aweng Payam of Twic County in South Sudan’s Warrap State.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday at around 4:00 PM, unfolded when armed raiders targeted cattle herders grazing livestock near the road linking Agook-Nyang and Majook-Noon. According to local authorities, the attackers took advantage of a moment of vulnerability when adult herders had briefly left young boys in charge of the cattle.
Inspector Col. Riing Mayot Dhel, the police inspector in Aweng Payam, told Mayar-dit FM that the raiders intimidated the boys, forcing them to flee before driving away the cattle.
“The attackers scared off the boys who had been left to look after the cattle. When they ran away, the raiders seized the livestock,” Mayot explained.
Upon learning of the raid, local youth and able-bodied men mobilised quickly and pursued the attackers. A confrontation ensued, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including one of the raiders, and leaving four others seriously wounded.
“What happened was around 4:00 PM when the raiders attacked herders grazing their cattle. This led to the death of three people, including one raider,” Mayot said. “The four others who were critically injured have been rushed to Mother Teresa Hospital, where they are receiving treatment.”
Authorities confirmed that the stolen cattle were successfully recovered after the pursuing group overpowered the raiders. However, officials did not disclose the number of animals retrieved.
Cattle raiding remains a persistent security challenge in parts of Warrap State and neighbouring regions. Despite ongoing efforts by local authorities to restore stability, such incidents continue to undermine peace and livelihoods.
Officials often attribute the recurring violence to cycles of retaliatory attacks between communities, particularly involving the neighbouring Unity State. The practice of cattle raiding, sometimes driven by economic incentives and longstanding communal tensions, has made efforts to achieve lasting security in the area increasingly difficult.
