He revealed that about 200 herds of cattle were killed during the clashes and called on the authorities in Greater Pibor Administrative Area to identify and return back the raided cattle

By Theophilous Ochang

At least 27 people were killed and 25 others injured in a deadly cattle attack by the suspected Murle of greater Pibor administrative area in Kapoeta North and Kapoeta East County of Eastern Equatoria state.

Eastern Equatoria state government said the killed and injured youth are from both Kapoeta North and East but did not reveal how many were killed from the side of the attackers.

In a press statement released by the Eastern Equatoria state minister of information and communication, Elia John Ahaji, on the 13^th ,14 and 17 of February, the suspected Murle criminals launched series of attacks in some areas of Kauto, Kuron and Napeika kraals of both Kapoeta North and Kapoeta East counties.

Minister Elia said: “The youth of Murle launched a series of attacks in both the Kapoeta North and Kapoeta East counties on February 13^th,14^th and 17^th 2025 in various areas of Kauto, Kuron and Napeika kraals.”

According to the information minister, about 27 people were killed, more than 25 others were injured and 800 herds of cattle were raided in the deadly encounter.

“These attacks have claimed 27 lives and left more than 25 people injured. The attackers made off with over 800 cattle. although proactive youth from Kapoeta North, Kapoeta East County successfully recovered most of the herds of cattle after engaging in a fierce fighting with the raiders,” he explained.

He revealed that about 200 herds of cattle were killed during the clashes and called on the authorities in Greater Pibor Administrative Area to identify and return back the raided cattle to their rightful owners in those respective areas.

“Unfortunately, 200 herds of cattle were killed during the cross fire we urge the leadership of greater Pibor administrative area to identify and return the cattle to their rightful owners as their livelihood had been severely impacted,” he said.

“We are also receiving alarming information that the same youth is mobilizing for larger raid targeting the people of Eastern Equatoria state particularly from greater Kapoeta. This is a matter of great concerns,” he claimed.

He called on the authorities in Greater Pibor Administrative Area to intervene and ensure the youth cease from such deadly activity.

“We called upon the authorities from the greater Pibor administrative area to intervene and ensure that these youth cease such deadly activity that threaten the security of our people we are one nation why should we weigh attack against our fellow brothers, let us continue to promote the message of peace, peaceful coexistence as good neighbors for the progress of our nation building,” Hon. Elia said.           

This week, Abdallah Angelo Lokeno, the Kapoeta East County commissioner claimed that 600 suspected raiders were killed in Kauto of which the information minister said the number of the attackers who lost lives is still unconfirmed since the incident happened in the bushes.

In April last year, 90 women and children were abducted, 32 people killed and 1,600 herds of cattle were raided by the suspected Murle youth from Greater Pibor Administrative Area.