South Sudanese Authorities Hand Over Nine Abductees to Uganda
Eyewitness
Authorities in Kajo-Keji County, South Sudan, have handed over nine Ugandan nationals who were abducted by a group of armed South Sudanese on May 7th, 2023, to Moyo district leaders.
The group had stormed Gwere village in Lefori Sub-County, Moyo district, and torched houses, looted unspecified household properties, such as motorcycles, mobile phones, animals, and food items, and abducted nine people over allegations that the residents had settled on South Sudanese land and therefore had to leave the area.
Commissioner Phanuel Dumo of Kajo-Keji County condemned the action of the youths, who he says were behind the raid, and described their actions as barbaric. He further stated that the laws of the land would catch up with the offenders. The abducted persons were rescued by a team of South Sudanese security operatives while being beaten by a group of angry youths.
The nine Ugandan nationals handed over to the authorities of Moyo district at Afoji Customs on May 10th, 2023, include Safi Ajule (28), Yoana Ledra (23), Akasa Yahaya (50), Majid Ondoga (44), Richard Ayikobua (30), Asraf Mohamed (32), Fadik Abijua (65), Avu Namis (43), and Lameck Ongua, the Sector Liaison Officer of the Uganda People’s Defense Force, all residents of Gwere village in Lefori Sub-County, Moyo district.
Gore Goffin, the Moyo Resident District Commissioner (RDC), who led a delegation of district officials to receive the abductees, commended the leadership of Kajo-Keji County for the timely intervention and ensuring that none of the abductees lost their lives. He further challenged the South Sudanese authorities to prevail over such groups and maintain mutual cooperation along the common border.
The raid has left at least 400 residents of Gwere village in Lefori Sub-County, Moyo district, homeless, and they are currently being accommodated at a nearby Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) detachment in the area.
