By Yien Gattuor

A mother and her 12-year-old daughter were killed on Saturday in a road ambush by unknown criminals in Turalei of Warrap State.

They were travelling from Juba to Unity State when the vehicle they were traveling in was attacked.

According to the authorities, the attackers allegedly pursued the passengers on a motorcycle. They started firing at the vehicle after it reached Turalei – a border between Warrap State and Unity State.

Bipal Both, Unity State Information Minister, said one man was also injured in the attack.

“The injured person was sent to Ajaak Kuach health facility for treatment and he’s now under treatment at the health care.”

He said the authorities are still investigating the incident and did not want to point fingers at any group.

Meanwhile, James Liyliy Kuol, Mayom County commissioner said the survivors of the attack were brought to Abiemnhom County.

“The deceased were identified as Nyakuka Gatluak Goh and her daughter Nyamuch Gatleekna Chuol. The injured person was identified as James Tut Lam Kulang, all from Rubkonta County in Unity State,” he said.

Road ambushes have been reported on some major routes within Warrap State and in the neighbouring regions in the recent past.

In November 2023, a humanitarian aid worker was killed in a road ambush in what officials said was a revenge killing.

“A humanitarian aid worker called James Aken Majakdit who was working in Warrap State’s Tonj North County was ambushed and killed in Tharkueng by a suspected armed youth from Marial-Wau on Saturday,” Warrap State Information Minister William Wol Mayom told the media, adding:

. “Before that, tension developed when a citizen from Marial-Wau was killed by unknown gunmen in Achong-Chong. The following day, another person was also killed by an unidentified person from Marial-Wau inside Manyang and he is from Apuk Giir subsection of Bui-Yar and these reports were reported to the government of Western Bahr el Ghazal.”