At least 12 civilians, including two women and two children, were killed in a deadly overnight assault in South Sudan’s Lakes State.
The attack occurred around 1 a.m. on Sunday when unknown armed assailants opened fire indiscriminately as residents slept, local officials confirmed.
Seventeen others were injured in the assault, which left the community reeling from shock and grief as families counted the dead.
Acting Information Minister of Lakes State, William Koji, told local media the attackers are believed to be armed youth from neighbouring Unity State.
Along with the killings, the assailants raided cattle in the area, though some livestock was later recovered with military support.
Koji strongly condemned the violence and called on authorities in Unity State to bring the perpetrators to justice without delay.
“This is very serious,” he said, “and I’m asking our counterparts from Unity State to deal with these criminals.”
He added that Lakes State forces cannot cross into Unity State to pursue the attackers, complicating efforts to respond effectively.
The attack highlights a troubling pattern of intercommunal violence in South Sudan, where armed raids and reprisals continue to plague rural regions.
As families bury the dead and treat the wounded, the government faces renewed pressure to protect civilians and curb cross-border militia actions.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
