50-year-old woman speared to death in Mayiendit County

BENTIU – A 50-year-old woman was killed in Mayiendit County of South Sudan’s Unity State after being attacked with a spear by a teenage boy believed to be suffering from mental illness, local police confirmed on Sunday. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and renewed concerns over the lack of mental health services in rural parts of South Sudan.

The victim, identified as Nyayang Chiok Puk, was stabbed at her residence in an area known as Jaguar at around 9:00 a.m. on Sunday. Police say after stabbing the victim, the suspect fled the scene, prompting an immediate search operation by local security forces.

Brigadier General James Tut Wal, the Police Inspector in Mayiendit County, confirmed the killing and said the suspect, identified as Bangoang Poul Teny, was arrested later the same day.

According to Wal, police officers pursued the suspect after receiving reports from residents and managed to apprehend him at around 2:00 p.m. near a river in the vicinity of the incident.

He said the suspect was taken to the Rupkuay police detention facility, where he remains in custody as investigations continue.

Preliminary information provided to police indicates that the suspect is a teenage boy with a history of mental illness. Authorities are now recording statements from family members, neighbours, and other witnesses to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack.

Police have not yet disclosed what may have triggered the assault, nor whether the suspect had previously been involved in violent incidents. Officials say the case will be forwarded to judicial authorities once initial investigations are completed.

The killing has alarmed residents, many of whom say families in the area struggle to access medical and psychosocial support for relatives living with mental health conditions. Unity State, like much of South Sudan, has a very limited mental health care infrastructure, with few trained specialists and almost no community-based support systems.

Local leaders have previously appealed to state authorities and humanitarian agencies to strengthen mental health and social protection services, warning that untreated mental health conditions pose growing risks to families and communities.

Authorities say further information will be released as the investigation progresses.