By Makur Adut.

Authorities in Lakes State have condemned the recent attack on the cattle camp in Rumbek North County that left 12 people dead.

The acting State information minister, William Koji Kerjok, said the armed youth who carried out the attack were from Panijiar County of Unity State.

He explained that the armed youth stormed the cattle camp and started shooting at people randomly at night.

“Through the effort of the organized forces and the commissioner on the ground, some of the cattle were recovered,” he said.

However, he said the exact number of cattle raided is not yet known, as it will be identified by the owners.

“We government of Lakes State condemns such acts, and we are asking the leadership of Unity State to control their criminals because the government of Lakes State cannot cross over to on other side to control criminals from neighboring Unity State.”

“We are saying the criminal activities between the two states must stop; the people of Lakes State are for peace with our neighbors,” Majok added.

Also, last week, four fishermen were killed by suspected criminals from Yirol East County.

“The bordering areas of Rumbek North, Rumbek Central and Yirol East are so vulnerable to criminals from neighboring Unity State,” the minister said.

“Let us embrace peace because such incidents can take people back to war. He noted that in some regions it is very difficult for the State government to control the armed youth, “I think that is why it is very hard for the government of Unity State to control this group because they have firearms.”

“We need to ensure that those who remain with guns are rebels, and the rebels will be dealt with by the government because no option.”

Majok called for the need to disarm the civilians, and those who still have guns should be declared rebels.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Panyijar County in Unity State, Gabriel Majok Bol, confirmed the incident, saying he had learned that the armed youth had gone and attacked Lakes State.

“I received the information this morning when I went to church from Bentiu that our criminals have attacked a cattle camp in Rumbek North County,” he said.

“My intervention is when they reach the area, but now they are still in the battlefield, and there is no time to reach them. If they enter the County, this is where we can intervene.”

Majok assured the community of Lakes State, particularly the counties that are bordering Panyijar County, of his commitment to recovering their looted cattle

 He said those are criminals who went to raid cattle in Rumbek North, and not right to generalize the whole community of Panyijar County.