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| Security officers |
High tension on the South Sudan border, with over 300 families fleeing their manyattas after four people were shot dead by Toposa raiders in Lokichogio over the weekend.
Lokichogio Ward Administrator Obed Echip on Tuesday said there were three successive raids between Friday and Sunday, with further intelligence reports indicating that the attackers were regrouping for more raids.
The most horrific raid occurred on Saturday, when 3 people were killed at the Lodwat grazing field.They were a woman, a police reservist and a herder.
5 people, including a police reservist, were critically injured and the officer succumbed to his injuries on arrival at Lopiding Sub County Hospital.
The villagers told the county official that there were more than 100 raiders, who he said were well co-ordinated and heavily armed.
The Sunday raid at Kaawoi occurred even after a contingent of the General Police Unit, National Police Reservists, Administration Police and Rapid Deployment Unit soldiers based at Nadapal along the border had already stepped up border patrols.
The forces recovered all the stolen animals and saved two boys who had been abducted but were left unharmed as the attackers crossed into South Sudan.The displaced families have now found their way to Lokichoggio Town centre, where they are appealing for food, utensils, water and shelter.
Lokichoggio Peace Organisation Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Eregae said they had contacted the South Sudan Civil Society Organisation to talk to border residents on the need to coexist peacefully.
