By Jacob Achiek Jok
BOR, 24 June 2012 [Gurtong] – Reports indicate that a boat hired by the SPLA at Malou in Nassir County, Upper Nile State to transport its forces to Akobo County was attacked on the River Nile by an armed group.
Akobo County Commissioner Goi Jok Yol told the press that 14 other soldiers were wounded during the incident.
He said among the dead were the deputy Wading Payam Administrator, deputy SPLA Commander and the boat driver, adding that eight soldiers are still missing.
He said the victims were youth who had refused to hand over their guns to the SPLA during the recent disarmament in the county.
Yol said the SPLA soldiers are still looking for the criminals who are said to have crossed over to neighbouring Ethiopia.
He urged the state residents to embrace peace and join the government in its pursuit for development.
In related news, police are pursuing abductors of two children in Baidit Payam of Bor County.
The abductors are suspected to be members of the Murle ethnic community.