Fisherman killed, two injured in Gogrial East suspected cross-border attack

AWEIL – At least one fisherman was killed and two others seriously injured on Tuesday after suspected criminals attacked them in Malual-Adoor Boma in Gogrial East County of South Sudan’s Warrap State.

The incident occurred in the early morning of 16 December as the fishermen were checking their fishing nets. The attackers are alleged to have come from Mayom County in neighbouring Unity State.

Speaking to this publication, Gogrial East County Police Inspector Lt. Colonel Thiik Agoth described the attack as “heinous” and said it left the local community shocked.

“In the early hours of 16 December, attackers ambushed fishermen at Malual-Adoor Boma, killing one person identified as Bol Madut and leaving two others critically injured,” Agoth said.

The injured were named as Bak Mawu-weei Garang and Majur Mawut. According to police, both victims were transferred to Wau Teaching Hospital for medical treatment.

Lt. Col. Agoth added that security forces are pursuing the attackers, who were seen fleeing towards Mayom County after the assault.

He urged residents to avoid swampy areas, particularly during early morning and evening hours, warning that such locations are frequently used by armed groups involved in cattle raiding and revenge attacks.

In a related incident, authorities in Twic County reported that 23 cows were allegedly raided from Mayen-Amuol Boma by suspected criminals believed to have also originated from Mayom County. Local officials said the attackers were seen driving the cattle towards swampy areas in the direction of Unity State, and efforts are underway to recover the stolen livestock.

Cattle raiding and revenge killings have remained persistent in Warrap State and neighbouring regions for years. Authorities and community leaders often attribute the violence to weak reconciliation efforts between rival communities within Warrap State and those from neighbouring Unity and Lakes states.

Despite the ongoing state of emergency and disarmament campaigns targeting cattle-keeping communities, incidents of violence continue to be reported, raising concerns over the effectiveness of current security measures.