Commissioner of Rumbek North County said a group of armed youth from Panyijar County last week raided 37 cattle in Panom-achot Boma.

By Makur Adut 

Authorities in Panyijar County of Unity State have returned 20 cattle that were raided from Rumbek North County, Lakes State, to their rightful owners.

Moses Maker Magok, the commissioner of Rumbek North County, said a group of armed youth from Panyijar County last week raided 37 cattle in Panom-achot Boma.

He demanded the remaining 17 cattle to be returned. “We are still respecting the resolutions of the agreement signed some time back and that’s why some raided cattle have been returned to Rumbek North county.”

 “We are in harmony with the people of Unity State because the traders from Panyijar County and the traders of Rumbek North County are doing their business normally.”

The commissioner of Panyijar County, Gabriel Majok Bol, confirmed that some groups of cattle raiders went and raided cattle in Rumbek North County, but the authorities of Panyijar County managed to recover  20 cows among the cattle raided. 

He said they have been having dialogue to ensure that they live in peace, and that is why they returned the cattle back to the owners from Lakes State.

“If there is no peace, then there will be no way to return the raided cows. Panyijar County in Unity State and Lakes State had a peace dialogue some three to four years ago.

“We engage youths for peace and not to go and attack their counterpart communities in Lakes State.”

 He said they were able to arrest one of the suspected criminals who raided cattle.

“We are working hard to make sure that the remaining 17 cows are returned to their owners,” said Majok.

Commenting on the raid last week, Laat Kon Ater, coordinator of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) in Lakes State, called on the State government to deploy forces along the borders to protect civilians and their properties.

“You cannot depend only on civilians to protect themselves from criminals who have intentions to raid cattle, kill, or loot properties,” he said.

Utilities

“We are in harmony with the people of Unity State because the traders from Panyijar County and the traders of Rumbek North County are doing their business normally,” said Moses Maker Magok, the commissioner of Rumbek North County.