By Emmanuel Mandella

Yambio town is calling for security reinforcement following a night ambush and shooting of local leader, in  an attack that left him with gunshot wounds on both legs.

Philip Mashakel Bona, the former Director for Gender, Child, and Social Welfare in Western Equatoria State and the acting headman of Naagori residential area was shot on Wednesday night by unknown assailants near St. Mary Football Club Field. The attackers, believed to be armed criminals, opened fire, hitting him in both legs before vanishing into the dark.

“I was responding to an alert in the community about some suspicious movement when we ran into the gunmen. They didn’t say a word, just fired at us. I’m lucky to be alive,” Bona narrated from his hospital bed.

The attack has heightened tension in Naagori and across Yambio, where residents say violent crimes have become alarmingly common after dusk. Local sources say the gunmen were masked and well-armed, sparking fears the attack may have been premeditated.

While confirming the attack, Western Equatoria State Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Philip Madut Tong vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“Our team is actively investigating. We’ve stepped up night surveillance, and we ask the community to report any suspicious individuals,” said Maj. Gen. Madut. “Only official security agents are allowed to carry arms at night.”

But for many citizens, the assurances appear not enough.

“How long will we live like prisoners in our own homes?” asked Maria Undo, a mother of four in the same neighborhood. “We need real protection not just promises after someone is attacked.”

Civil society leaders are now urging the state government to convene a crisis forum to address the rising insecurity. Their proposals include deploying mixed patrols involving the police, army, and community watch groups to restore calm and rebuild trust in State capital.