Armed youths raid more than 400 cattle in Unity State’s Leer County

By Chondok Stephen Magei

Armed youth suspected to be from Mayendit county Rupkuai have raided 470 herds of cattle in Guat village under Leer county on Sunday when herders took the animals for grazing, according to leader of Leer cattle camp.

The leader of the cattle camp in Leer town, Southern Unity Mr. Gattut Chuol confirmed to Juba Echo the cattle were raided by 47 armed youths at around 2pm on Sunday.

“470 herds of cattle were raided and taken to Rubnor village where they were distributed, the armed youths came from Mayendit Rupkuai Payam, the raiders got only three boys who were looking after the cattle, they told the boys to go home and they took the cattle.” Chuol alleged to Juba Echo by telephone.

Mayendit County commissioner, Dr. Gatluak Nyang said he received a report of the raiding but he said the raiders are yet to be identified, he added that they are unknown armed youth.

“We are in communication with village leaders about where those cattle were taken and if we find out, we will impose strong measures and we will return the raided cattle to their owners.” Nyang said.

He said there is need for the three neighboring counties of Leer, Koch and Mayendit to organize dialogue to iron out their differences and promote a peaceful co-existence in southern Unity State.

“We are in coordination on when to organize peace conference and when we finish, we will invite all media houses.” Said Nyang.