(TAMBURA) – A soldier was killed and two others wounded in an ambush by unidentified gunmen in Tambura County, Western Equatoria State, on Friday, authorities have confirmed.
Tambura County Commissioner Mathew Mabenge told local media that the incident occurred while the soldiers were returning from Tambura town to Mopoi after collecting their salaries. The attack took place at around 4 p.m. and two motorbikes belonging to the soldiers were stolen by the assailants.
The fallen soldier was identified only by his father’s name, Victor. He was 23 years old. Officials said the full identity of the deceased is being withheld until the family is fully informed.
“Yesterday at 4 p.m., the soldiers left Mopoi to collect their salary in Tambura,” Commissioner Mabenge explained. “On their way back, they fell into an ambush. One was killed, two injured, and six others survived. The attackers took two motorbikes. This morning, our forces launched a follow up mission to track down those responsible.”
While Tambura town itself remains calm, the commissioner said insecurity continues to persist in surrounding areas, where repeated ambushes and looting incidents have made local roads dangerous, especially for government personnel and civilians.
The soldiers had reportedly just received their wages in Tambura town.
The attack comes just days after Acting Governor Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa announced plans to relocate his office to Tambura County, citing an urgent need to improve security and ease community tensions in the area.
The region has struggled with instability for several years. Since 2021, more than 400 civilians have been killed in Tambura due to conflict largely driven by ethnic divisions. While broader fighting has reduced in some places, recent incidents have involved targeted killings along ethnic lines, reigniting fears of renewed violence.
Commissioner Mabenge said security forces are now on the ground to track the attackers and restore order. However, he acknowledged that many remote areas remain insecure and difficult to patrol.