(Yirol) – Authorities in Unity State have confirmed that 43 traders who were previously reported missing after a river ambush in Yirol East County have been found alive, while four were killed and six others remain unaccounted for. The attack took place on Friday near Shambe Port, located along the Nile in Lakes State.
The group of traders had departed from Panyijiar County in Unity State and were on their way to Juba when they came under attack. According to Unity State’s Minister of Information, Gatwech Bipal Both, the traders’ journey had initially been smooth, particularly after they were provided with a police escort upon entering Lakes State.
However, events took a tragic turn near the Wangthok checkpoint, when armed men ambushed the boat. The attackers, described by officials as “youths believed to be from Lakes State,” reportedly overpowered the police officer escorting the group and opened fire on the vessel at around 4 p.m. The sudden assault forced many of the traders to abandon the boat and flee into nearby swampland to escape the gunfire.
“Some fled into the swamp, and others disappeared during the chaos,” said Minister Bipal. He confirmed that 42 of the survivors returned safely to Panyijiar County on Monday. One woman, along with the boat, is still being held at Shambe Port under the custody of local authorities.
The Minister condemned the attack and called for calm while investigations are carried out. He encouraged the communities involved to avoid retaliation and allow law enforcement to pursue justice.
David Kur Malieth, the county health director in Panyijiar, confirmed that four people had been killed in the ambush. He also said that six others are still missing and believed to be in the riverine areas of Yirol East County.
“The 42 survivors are now receiving medical care at Panyijiar County Health Hospital,” he told Jakony.com®. “They spent three days in the Nile after escaping the attack, but their condition is stable and their health is improving.”
He described the survivors’ escape and return as a relief, given the circumstances they faced in the swampy terrain with no food or clean water.
Efforts by the media to reach the Yirol East County Commissioner, Manyang Luke, for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The violence also comes at a time when inter communal tensions and sporadic armed attacks continue to undermine stability across the country.
Authorities have urged both state and local governments to work together to ensure protection for civilians and restore safe passage for commercial movement on the Nile.