Nighttime gunfire rattles Rumbek
A patrol turned tense in Rumbek Town late Tuesday as security forces exchanged fire with a column of armed youth.
Authorities say the group tried to cross the urban perimeter despite standing orders barring weapons inside the Lakes State capital.
Authorities defend patrol strategy
Acting Information Minister William Koji described the youths as numerous and potentially intent on revenge or a cattle raid, threats the patrol sought to deter.
Koji pledged that the shooters would be tracked, arrested and disarmed, underscoring the state’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal weapons.
Hospital response underscores civilian toll
Caught in the crossfire, a woman sustained back injuries when stray bullets pierced her home around midnight, officials confirmed.
Dr. Teran Madit Teran of Rumbek State Hospital said the patient was stabilised swiftly and is now recovering under observation.
Civil society urges wider disarmament
Activist Daniel Laat Kon welcomed the pursuit of criminals but cautioned that prolonged gunfire alarmed residents of Makoi neighbourhood for more than an hour.
He urged youth to abandon firearms and called on the government to intensify community disarmament to prevent future scares.
Broader security context for Lakes State
Sporadic clashes between armed youth and security forces have tested Lakes State’s stability in recent years, often linked to cattle-related disputes.
Analysts note that sustained night patrols, coupled with dialogue and controlled disarmament drives, remain central to reducing such incidents without unsettling civilians.