By Emmanuel Mandella

Shock and grief gripped Source Yubu Payam in Tombura County of Western Equatoria State, following the killing of a respected traditional leader in a ‘brutal atack.’

The headman of Nabanga Boma was killed on Sunday evening at around 7:00 p.m. in Nabanga village, allegedly by his own brother, who was believed to mental, the Payam Chief of Source Yubu, Anthony Saravario Kunawia, said.

Speaking to The City Review on Monday morning, Chief Kunawia said the incident is a grave loss not only to the family but to the entire community of Source Yubu Payam.

“This is a very painful and shocking incident for us as leaders and as a community. The deceased was a headman, someone entrusted with maintaining peace and order, as he was my right hand from that side, but losing him in this manner is heartbreaking,” Chief Kunawia said.

According to the chief, the incident followed a series of security mishaps in Nabanga Boma. The deceased headman had reportedly ordered local youth to arrest a suspect who had been causing tension in the area.

The suspect was accused of burning a local church and contaminating water sources by urinating in them, acts that angered residents due to the serious public health risks.

Shortly after the order was issued, violence erupted, culminating in the killing of the headman.

While full details of the attack remain unclear, local leaders say the act appears to be linked to the enforcement of regulation in the community.

Eyewitnesses who spoke to The City Review, described scenes of panic. “We heard shouting and people running. When we reached the place, we found the headman lying on the ground. People were crying. No one could believe he was killed by his own brother,” said one resident who witnessed the aftermath and requested anonymity.

Another eyewitness, a woman who lives near the scene, said the incident has traumatized the community.

“This man was a leader, someone who always advised people to live in peace,” she said. “Seeing him killed like that makes us afraid. If a headman can be killed, who is safe?”

Several residents said the killing exposed the dangers faced by traditional leaders who attempt to enforce order without adequate protection or timely support from state authorities.

Chief Kunawia confirmed that the suspect has been arrested and is currently being held in a local detention facility under customary authority.

“The suspect is in our custody, but our challenge is that we do not have the mandate to handle such crimes. We need the state government to immediately transfer this criminal to prison,” he explained.

The chief warned that delays in government response risk inciting more violence.

The killing has also reopened painful memories of past unresolved cases in the area.

Prolonged cases

Chief Kunawia cited a previous incident in which a man allegedly killed a woman but was never arrested and continues to walk freely in the village.

“This kind of criminal acts happened before,” he said. “A man killed a woman, and up to now he is still in the community, continuing his criminal activities. That is why our people are not stable. Criminals roaming freely are a serious threat.”

Community members echoed these concerns, saying impunity has emboldened offenders and placed ordinary citizens and leaders at risk.

“When criminals are not punished, they become stronger, today it is a headman, tomorrow it could be anyone,” said an elderly resident.

The death of the headman has left a leadership vacuum in Nabanga Boma, with residents fearing that other traditional leaders may become reluctant to enforce community rules.

“Headmen and chiefs are now scared,” an eyewitness said. “They ask themselves, ‘If I arrest someone, will I also be killed?’ That fear is real.”

Local leaders say traditional authorities play a critical role in maintaining peace in remote areas like Source Yubu, where state institutions are limited or absent.

Calling for government action, Chief Kunawia and community members have appealed to the Western Equatoria State government to intervene urgently by deploying security forces, ensuring the suspect is transferred to state custody, and addressing broader law enforcement gaps in Tombura County.

“We are doing our best at the local level, but without support from the government, we cannot manage serious crimes. We need judges, police, and prisons that function,” the chief said.

Residents also called for increased protection for traditional leaders, warning that continued neglect could destabilize already fragile communities recovering from years of conflict.

As preparations for the burial of the slain headman begin, Nabanga village remains in mourning. Villagers gathered in small groups on Tuesday, sharing memories of a leader they described as firm but fair.

“He wanted peace, he died because he stood for it. That should not be his reward,” said a community member.

The killing of the traditional leader stands as a stark reminder of the persistent insecurity and justice challenges facing rural communities in Western Equatoria State; challenges that residents say can no longer be ignored if peace is to take root in Tombura County.