Seven people killed, over 300 cattle stolen in Mayom County

At least seven people were reportedly killed and more than 300 cattle stolen by unknown armed group in Mayom County, Unity State, authorities said.

Speaking to The City Review on Sunday, Maj. Gen. Tito Biel, Fourth Infantry’s Brigade 11 commander, said the incident happened in Kuerchiedieng village, north of Mayom County, where unidentified assailants attacked Arab nomads [Misseriya] on Saturday evening and walked away with 379 cattle.

He said the bandits ambushed the nomads while herding their cattle in the forest and killed seven of them.

“I think the criminals have spied and know that the cattle keepers have been taking their cattle for pasture in Kuerchiedieng Forest. And after they knew that only a few men were herding the cattle, they attacked them, killed seven and took 379 cattle with them,” Maj. Gen. Biel said.

Maj. Gen. Biel said they suspect that Gai Machiek’s armed youth may have taken part in the raid.

“Those who have attacked the Arabs are not armed youth from Mayom County. They were Gai Machiek’s armed youth because after they took the cattle, they moved towards Aniet Payam going to Twic County,” he said.

Biel lamented that the nomads flee Sudan due to the ongoing conflict only to encounter another brutal cattle rustling in South Sudan.

He stressed that his forces in Norti-Kuur pursued the criminals but returned empty handed, pointing out that the cattle rustlers could not be found because they used a different route.

He added, “I met with their leaders and I assured them their safety in the area. I have ordered some forces to stay with them in Kuerchiedieng because the area has good pastures for cattle. It is not like other areas submerged by flood waters.”

According to Biel, it is the first time they were attacked since they settled in the area.