3 people were killed and 6 injured in clashes in Duke on Christmas Day

Local authorities in Duk County, Jonglei State, said three youths were killed and six others injured in an ambush by armed attackers in Duk Padiet Payam on Christmas Day. The injured were airlifted to Juba, where they are currently undergoing treatment.

Speaking to Radio Taazuj, John Chatim, Duk County Commissioner, said the youths were ambushed while patrolling near their farms on the outskirts of Duk Padiet town.

“What happened in Pachoknyieth was that some women went out early in the morning to collect grain from their farms, but they found footprints outside them, so they retreated to inform our youth,” he explained. “When our youth went on patrol, they were ambushed and three people were killed and six injured.”

The commissioner accused armed youths from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) of being involved in the attack.

“Reports that our people were fighting among themselves are untrue. There was an ambush organized by an armed youth, Murle, of the GPAA, which resulted in the death of three youths and the injury of six others. The injured were airlifted to Juba, where they are currently undergoing treatment.”

For his part, Jacob Werchum Jouk, GPAA’s information minister, said they were unaware of the attack.

“We have no knowledge of this incident,” he said. “What evidence do they have to accuse our youth? Our youth are still in our territories.”