By Yien Gattuor

At least seven people were injured in a road ambush in Ruweng when the vehicle they were traveling in came under attack from armed criminals on Tuesday.

The passengers were en route to the neighbouring capital of Unity State.

Gatwich Bipal Both, Unity State Information Minister confirmed the incident but said there were no deaths.

He said the survivors are currently receiving treatment in Bentiu hospital.

“The seven people who were injured were brought to Bentiu hospital and they are now under treatment at the State hospital.”

“We suspected the armed youth from our border in the Ruweng Administrative Area, but we are in communication with the Ruweng authority to conduct the investigation and to identify those involved in the incident,” Bipal said.

Meanwhile, Simon Chol, the Minister of Information in Ruweng, also confirmed the incident but said the attack was carried by unknown criminals.

“When we identify who were involved in the attack, they will be arrested according to the agreement that we agreed with the Unity State government,” he said.

In January 2024, two Somali truck drivers fell victim to a fatal road ambush along the Abiemnhom road in the Ruweng Administrative Area.

According to Matiop Dau Deng, then Commissioner of Abiemnhom County, the incident occurred in Awila village between Abiemnhom County and Mayom County in Unity State.

Deng explained that the Somali drivers, who were transporting goods for the GBOX oil business from Abiemnhom to Mayom County were ambushed by a group of armed criminals, resulting in their tragic deaths.

“The attack took place between Abiemnhom and Mayom by armed criminals along the road. If not escorted by soldiers, trucks passing through the area immediately face an ambush. The victims left early in the morning, and as most offices were still closed, they fell into the hands of criminals and were shot dead,” he told Radio Tamazuj.

Meanwhile, Unity State Information Minister David Gai clarified that the incident occurred in the territory of Ruweng Administrative Area, not Unity State.