By Makur Adut

Authorities in Lakes State reported that cattle raiders believed to be from Panyijar County of Unity State killed one person and raided 5 cows in Adior Payam of Yirol East County, Lakes State.

The Acting Minister of Information and Communication in Lakes State, William Koji Kerjok linked the incident at Adior Payam to raids by armed youths from Unity State.

“They broke into a house and ordered a man and his wife out, then made away with five cows,” Kerjok said.

However, Kerjok confirmed that the armed youth killed the man before running away with animals. And, later in the evening, came back to Adior Payam to terrorize the villagers, igniting exchange of fire, he added.

Police officers came to the scene and calmed down the confrontation. No casualties were reported from the crossfire. “The government will do its best to protect its people and their property,” he said. “We are also asking the Commissioner of Panyijar County to continue cooperating with us to deal with the situation as he has done in the past,” he said.

He said some criminals are being arrested there as we heard of it and it is the court of Lakes State to deal with them.

“Some cattle that were raided in the past were successfully returned to Lakes State thanks to the support and coordination with Unity State government. We are  asking the leadership of the state to continue supporting such partnerships so that we instil security and protect lives and property.”

The state minister affirmed that a team had been dispatched to help with patrols in a bid to recover the stolen cattle.  

“The main aim of these criminals is to steal and terrorize through cattle raids. If they find people, they want to take away the cows and kill. There is no politically incited conflicts in Lakes State. These are criminal activities that have to be named for what they are and treated as criminal activities,” he said, warning those propagating false claims about ongoing political conflicts in the State to stop.