Swift Rescue in Lakes State
Eight traders abducted along the Lakes–Jonglei border are home after a coordinated rescue that recovered 62 cattle and a goat.
The handover occurred in Awerial, where Commissioner Philip Mawut Deng said he acted on ‘clear directives from the state governor’ to return the traders to their relatives.
Survivors’ Ordeal and Relief
Witnesses said armed youth intercepted the traders’ boat on 14 September, forcing them into the forest for four tense days.
One captive delivered a baby during detention, a detail that heightened public concern and underscored the group’s vulnerability.
‘All eight people were released and are now safe,’ Panyijiar community chairperson William Yien Kuol confirmed after the group reached Juba on Wednesday.
Security Forces at Work
Panyijiar Commissioner Gabriel Majok Bol praised the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, noting that riverbank soldiers ‘helped secure the victims from the kidnappers’ without paying ransom.
Local authorities attribute the smooth transfer to collaboration among county commissioners, military units and community intermediaries, signaling growing confidence in regional security coordination.
Accountability and Future Measures
Commissioner Majok appealed for thorough investigations to deter future attacks, stressing that commercial routes along the Nile remain economic lifelines for traders in Unity and Lakes states.
Security analysts argue that sporadic abductions stem from competition over cattle and river tolls, urging inclusive dialogue to complement law-enforcement efforts.
For the rescued traders, however, the immediate priority is simple: reunite with families and rebuild disrupted businesses before the Christmas trading season.