By Moses Okwera
On Tuesday, Governor Luis Lobong Lojore of Eastern Equatoria State responded to claims that cattle herders had been massacred in Nyolo during a recent cattle raid. Instead, he described the incident as a typical cattle-raiding conflict between armed groups, not a massacre.
The attack occurred last week when raiders targeted the cattle camps of Dinka Bor herders in Nyolo Boma, Magwi County. The governor clarified that both the cattle herders and the raiders were armed, making the conflict more of a violent confrontation over livestock rather than an unprovoked massacre.
“The situation in Nyolo was a cattle raid, not a massacre. Both the cattle herders and the raiders were armed, and they knew each other well. They were fighting over stolen cattle.”
Governor Lobong who visited Magwi County to assess the destruction caused by Cattle herders said, it resulted in massive displacement of the innocent communities from Agoro Payam in Magwi County and the cattle herders from Bor went rampage against the civilians through killings, looting burning houses, food, and government institutions after cattle raids at Nyolo by alleged Murle cattle raiders.
Lobong called on the people of Eastern Equatoria to mobilize resources and support the displaced residents of Agoro Payam, Magwi County, who have been affected by violence in the region.
“I urge the people of Eastern Equatoria to contribute food, clothing, and other materials for the displaced community. The situation is dire, and we must help each other. We cannot rely solely on international agencies.”