The Governor of Gok State Madhang Majok condemns the killing of at least eight South Sudan People’s Defence Force in Gulek cattle camp.
The condemnation came after twenty-six days when armed youth ambushed and killed soldiers who were dispatched to the camp to recover stolen cattle, Good News Radio reports.
Majok regrets that the killing of the forces has tarnished the image of the government.
He adds that the suspects have been arrested and they will face the law.
‘We the executives responded to the people’s call by requesting Brig. Commander to provide forces to feel security gaps in our state and South Sudan people’s Defence Forces responded positively. But it is with regret that some armed people from Gulek cattle camp and killed soldiers in the line of their duties. This cattle camp incident has tarnished our image as government and people of Gok State. I condemn it with strongest term possible. However, we the state government and army command, I have managed the situation and most of the culprit have been apprehended and will be brought to book’, says the governor.
The governor assures those who are still holding unauthorized guns that more forces have been deployed to continue with disarmament in all cattle camps and villages.
‘I would to assure you that any criminal wanted for any crime committed and is wanted for legal process, will be apprehended. The civil population disarmament is a continuous process. Now we have more forces than before. Therefore, there will be no village or cattle camp that will be left out in this civil population disarmament exercise. We are not going to leave and we are not even going to shay. Guns must be taken away whether you are an MP or whoever is not authorized because some of the MPs are not soldiers. Since you are not soldier, you are not liable to have a gun, Governor Majok stresses.
Majok confirm that the security in the state is now normal.
This is not the first-time armed civilians have clashed with the army in Agulek.
In 2013, ten people died after armed youth confronted the SPLA on their way to recover stolen cattle.