By James Chatim

Authorities in Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) on Thursday revealed that the deadly attack on cattle traders in Mogiri market has risen to 10 casualties.

Speaking on phone to The City Review, GPAA Information Minister Jacob Werchum Jouk said Pibor authorities together with national government and Central Equatoria State government are investigating the incident to identify the perpetrators and serve justice.

Werchum reported that the identity of the attackers is yet to be known.

“The attack happened but investigations are still on to identify where the attackers came from and their identity. Government of Central Equatoria and the national government are jointly carrying out this exercise at the moment,” Werchum said.   

He added: “Police officers monitoring the situation in Mogiri have so far revealed that the death toll has risen to ten. But yesterday, we had eight people that were killed. Eight others were wounded, and about 3,035 head of cattle looted from the feeders. This is the latest report that we have received from the ground.”

On Tuesday multiple sources reported that about eight people and over 3,000 heads of cattle were raided following a violent attack on cattle traders from Pibor in Mogiri market.

The attack occurred at around 7:30 P.M. Heavily armed assailants stormed the cattle trading center, opened fire indiscriminately, resulting to the death of the eight on the spot.

In a press statement, Gola Boyoi Gola, the Chief Administrator of Greater Pibor Administrative Area strongly condemned the attack on the cattle traders of Murle Community in Mogiri Payam, accusing elements known as Red Belt to be behind the incident.