Police Account of the Fatal Night
A commercial disagreement between two Eritrean traders in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal, escalated into lethal violence late Thursday night, leaving one man dead and another under arrest, according to state police.
Major General Abednego Akol Ayuong said suspect Milion Mihaidab Ailai, 26, allegedly stabbed his 27-year-old partner, Tasfay Baragi, five times around 10:30 p.m. in Hai Jebel, where the pair operated a small retail outlet (Eye Radio report).
Financial Tangle Behind the Stabbing
Preliminary inquiries indicate the men had quarreled for months over a 21,000-dollar loan that Mihaidab claimed Baragi diverted to personal use, ignoring repeated repayment requests (Ayuong statement).
Police say the suspect told investigators the victim had previously been detained without resolution, fuelling frustration that allegedly culminated in violence.
Arrest, Charges and Community Response
Mihaidab fled the scene but was apprehended early Friday and now faces a murder charge under Section 206 of South Sudan’s 2008 Penal Code, authorities confirmed.
Local traders expressed shock yet called for due process, while police urged calm and pledged a transparent investigation to deter future business-related violence in the bustling border city.