A deadly road ambush along the Juba-Nimule highway on Tuesday morning has left one person dead and nine others injured after a bus belonging to Babeto Company was attacked and set ablaze by unknown assailants.
The General Manager of Babeto Bus Company, Puok Matai, confirmed to Catholic Radio Network (CRN) that their bus, carrying 42 passengers, was ambushed around 7:00 AM. The attack claimed the life of the bus conductor, while several other passengers sustained injuries.
“The ambush occurred at around 7:48 AM. The bus was shot at, and unfortunately, we lost our conductor on the spot. Nine people were injured—five of them are stable, while four others with more severe injuries have been taken to Giada Military Hospital for treatment,” Matai explained.
Initial media reports had suggested that fifteen people were killed in the ambush, and many others injured, with some passengers fleeing into the surrounding bushes to escape the gunfire. However, the official report from Babeto Company clarified that the death toll stands at one, with nine confirmed injured.
The bus, enroute from Juba to Kampala, was making its regular journey between the two countries when the incident occurred. The attack has raised fresh concerns about the safety of travelers along the Juba-Nimule highway, a crucial route for cross-border travel and commerce.
South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Kong, stated that the perpetrators remain unidentified. He confirmed that security forces have been dispatched to Nyerbede, the location of the ambush, to investigate the incident and secure the area.
“The attackers are still unknown, but we have sent security teams to assess the situation and ensure the safety of travelers,” Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Kong said.
The ambush has left travelers and citizens deeply shaken, especially as the Christmas season approaches—a time when many people plan to travel home to reunite with their families. Concerns over road safety have heightened, with calls for enhanced security measures on the highway to prevent further attacks.