The food supplies, mobilized by the church, were intended to support IDPs who had sought refuge at the parish after being displaced by ongoing insecurity in Tombura

By Emmanuel Mandella

A daring attempt by gunmen to loot a truck carrying food aid for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Ngboko Boma of Source Yubu Payam ended in tragedy on Wednesday evening, as one soldier from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) lost his life in the gun battle.

According to Tombura County Commissioner Matthew Mabenge, the incident occurred around 7 PM when a truck transporting food to the Ave Maria Parish compound was ambushed by a group of 18 armed assailants.

The food supplies, mobilized by the church, were intended to support IDPs who had sought refuge at the parish after being displaced by ongoing violence in the region.

“It was at 7 PM on Wednesday when a truck taking food to Ngboko Ave Maria Parish was ambushed by unknown gunmen. According to the security reports, there were well-armed attackers. We lost one soldier from the SSPDF Division 6, and forces have now been deployed to pursue the perpetrators,” Commissioner Mabenge confirmed.

The Ave Maria Parish has been a critical lifeline for displaced families in Tombura. Last week, Parish Priest Fr. Avelino revealed that the church had completed the registration of 3,860 IDPs living within the compound, comprising 603 households. Of these, 508 were men, 751 women, 1,258 boys, and 1,343 girls. An additional similar number of IDPs have been residing outside the parish with friends and relatives.

Despite this attack, Mabenge stated that Tombura County enjoyed relatively peace during Christmas, a great relief considering the violent clashes that have been witnessed in the county in many months. “Since the regional forces arrived in Tombura, the security situation has improved. Everything is calm, and we even celebrated Christmas peacefully,” he said.

The violence in Tombura, which erupted in 2021, has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands. The humanitarian crisis has left many dependent on aid, with churches playing a vital role in providing shelter and support to the displaced.

As security forces hunt down the attackers, the incident underscores the challenges of delivering humanitarian assistance in conflict-prone areas. The loss of an SSPDF soldier highlights the risks faced by security personnel and aid providers alike.

The tragic ambush serves as a reminder of the fragility of peace in Tombura, where the scars of conflict remain fresh despite recent improvements in stability.

“Since the regional forces arrived in Tombura, the security situation has improved. Everything is calm, and we even celebrated Christmas peacefully,” Tombura County Commissioner, Matthew Mabenge.