Tonj East chief assassinated in fatal cattle raid rescue mission

KUAJOK – Authorities in Tonj East County of South Sudan’s Warrap State have confirmed the assassination of a local chief who was shot dead while attempting to rescue a neighbour during a suspected cattle raid on Wednesday night.

According to county police officials, the incident occurred at around 11:00 p.m. in Wut-Koc village when unidentified armed men attacked a resident’s home and began driving away livestock.

The sound of gunfire and commotion reportedly alerted Adekrich Lual Madier, aged 40, who stepped out of his house to intervene.

Tonj East County Police Inspector Dut Majok Dut told Mayardit FM in neighbouring Twic County that the attackers appeared to have lain in wait for the chief as he moved toward the scene.

“On Wednesday night, armed assailants attacked a neighbour’s home and began taking goats and cattle. When the chief heard the noise, he came out to rescue the family. Unfortunately, the attackers waylaid him and shot him dead,” Majok said.

He described the killing as shocking and said residents remain bewildered by the brazen nature of the attack. The identities of the assailants are still unknown, and they remain at large.

Inspector Majok suggested the killing may have been premeditated, noting that the attackers were heavily armed and strategically positioned. “The manner in which the incident happened indicates prior planning. The killers were well-armed and lay in wait for the chief as he responded to the distress call,” he said.

The police official acknowledged that limited security presence in parts of Warrap State continues to hamper efforts to respond swiftly to such incidents. He attributed the persistence of cattle-related violence to inadequate deployment of law enforcement personnel in vulnerable and remote areas.

“The lack of sufficient forces to pursue such criminals allows these activities to escalate. If there were enough law enforcement officers on the ground, those responsible for killing the chief could have been apprehended and brought to justice,” Majok added.

The killing has renewed concerns over the proliferation of arms among local youth and the increasing frequency of cattle raids in Warrap State. Residents in far-flung areas often struggle with poor road connectivity, making it difficult for security forces to respond promptly to emergencies.

Local authorities have called for calm as investigations continue, while community members mourn the loss of a leader who died attempting to protect his people.